Life, 1896-04-16 · page 3 of 20
Life — April 16, 1896 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page (Volume XXVII, No. 694) The main cartoon depicts a social scene where a man and woman sit facing each other, with observers in the background. The caption indicates "Mrs. X" and "Mr. X" are discussing the Jones-Browns' travels abroad, with reactions of "universal satisfaction and many expressions of regret." The satire targets social hypocrisy: the couple's departure apparently pleases society, contradicting polite pretense. The joke suggests that certain people's absence is welcomed despite conventional expressions of regret. Below, "An Acrostic Plaint" is a poem about lost love and memory, while a separate dialogue between "Lieutenant Peri" and "Traveler" discusses Arctic expeditions and English hotels—likely satirizing travelers' exaggerated adventure claims versus mundane reality.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
NUMBER 694. Mrs. X.: SO THE JONES-BROWNS ARE GOING ABROAD. HOW DO YOU THINK THE NEWS WILL BE RECEIVED? WITH UNIVERSAL SATISFACTION AND MANY EXPRESSIONS OF REGRET. AN ACROSTIC PLAINT. £© “HERE'S a judge out West who beats the Dutch Never a fairer maiden breathed for fiendish punishments.” he In fabled times or modern days ‘‘ What sort of sentences does he inflict?” } Than she around whose forehead wreathed “Well, one poor wretch was convicted of killing Night's sabled locks, with stars ablaze! five people, and this cruel judge sentenced him to an In distan adoration long i afternoon's imprisonment in a millinery store on open- This soul and heart in worship knelt, ing day.” Nor dared approach to breathe their song Into the shrine where Beauty dwelt: Till—Ah, that Memory still can live IEUTENANT PERI: I am afraid you couldn't a 4 Now joyous Hope is cold and dead! stand the rigor of an Arctic expedition. You Scru Line “ain © If you'll read down, these lines will give never have been’ on. one. before, have you? a. Pier... The cruel, blighting words she said ! TRAVOLE: No; but I have spent a winter in an 1a Silks. Ne cat eee R.S.P. English hotel. comicbooks.com