Life, 1896-12-10 · page 18 of 20
Life — December 10, 1896 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This cartoon, credited to "La Caricature" (a French publication), depicts the common experience of vacation's conclusion through physical comedy. A well-dressed businessman is literally *blown backward* by papers and documents swirling around him—representing the avalanche of work awaiting his return to the office. A young boy (possibly his son) is caught in the same chaotic wind. On the right, a woman and child enjoy a peaceful beach scene, suggesting the carefree vacation lifestyle being left behind. The contrast emphasizes the jarring transition from leisure to work obligations. The joke is universal: no matter one's social status, returning from vacation means confronting an overwhelming backlog of neglected business matters. Published in *Life* around 1896, this resonates because workplace anxieties remain timeless—the cartoon captures the anxiety of re-entry into demanding professional life.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE END OF VACATION. From La Caricature OG ) Delightfully Fragrant and Refreshing A Favorite with Connoisseurs For Half-a-Century A sample by toall if you send three cents for postace ‘and mention this publication. “Address the tre of SOLDOST. HALL. & Wholesale Draggisuy New York City. ary litt St., New York, ‘Sept. J5th, 1896, We have hased S. RAE & CO.’S FINEST SUBLIME week OIL at retail in the 3 market, and have submitted samples so obtained to : careful chemical analysis. We find the off to be PURE OLIVE OIL wn- Est, 1836. S. RAE & CO., Leghorn, Sal7 28 900000001 (00010000011 MAJOR’S WATER FILTER These Filters are made of different sizes to ft any cooler. The ice is kept separate from the filtered water. Shows big saving of ice. Illustrated descriptive circular on application. A. MAJOR, 461 PEARL ST., N. Y. C. a Of LDTIMEs (REMEDY a NCHIAL ees seuisccuae a —— Sees FOR SALE BY: ALL DEALERS. U4 hf MARTFORD, NEW voRK. LONDON vane cot