Life, 1897-07-01 · page 9 of 20
Life — July 1, 1897 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 9 This page contains satirical poetry and social commentary typical of early Life magazine. The poem "Mulieres" mocks fashionable women's affectations—their elaborate clothing (ruffles, frills, Empire waists), cosmetics (rouge, blushes), and calculated charm ("glances and smiles"). It critiques their superficiality while suggesting they're financially dependent ("That's where the money goes"). The illustration captioned "Those Spinster Girls Remind Me of Eggs" appears to reference unmarried women, with dialogue suggesting they "never look their age"—likely a jab at women's efforts to appear younger. The bottom dialogue snippets mock legal proceedings and social gossip (references to "blackballing by Sorosis," likely the women's club). Overall, the page reflects period attitudes mixing misogyny with humor about women's social status and appearance.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
MULIERES. if UFFLES and pufis and frills, Flounces and furbclows ; Frocks in a flurry of lace, ’s where the money goes ! Berthas and gigot sleeves Hoops and the Empire waist— ‘These are the things they wear, This is their simple taste. Blue eyes and brown and black Curls and a dimpled chin, Blushes to shame the rose, That's where the rouge comes in! Glances and smiles and sighs, Hints of a breaking heart— ¢ the tricks they try, Go, little rhyme, abroad, Bid the poor lads be Curls and a dimpled chin, Rutiles and puffs and frills, Only to catch a man, Someone to pay the bills ! £: V7. OUR COMPLIMENTS CHICAGO. HICAGO is a big city. And she does things on a big sc the Fair, itis not only bigger than, any previous effort of a like nat= ure, but it is far more artistic. One looks back upon it as up- on a dream of another world: a magic creation on an unheard- of No words can con- y a just impression of the effect produced by this triumph of art and architecture. LIFE takes off his hat to the city having the public spirit, the energy and the consummate taste to summon such glori “© THOSE SPINSTER GIRLS REMIND ME OF EGGS. “Eoos?" “THEY NEVER LOOK THEIR AGE.” SAME THING IN THE END. AUD: The word “homely” is not used in the same way in England as it is in America, A homery girl there means one who is fond of domestic surroundings. MARIE: Domestic surroundings are the only things a homely girl has a chance of being fond of, whether in England or Ame: IS HONOR : Have you anything to say before sentence is passed upon you? THe Coxvicrep: Yes, your Honor, I have one simple request to make: In sentencing me, please don’t say that | was convicted by a jury of my peers. Bee What makes Charlie Softe look so gloomy ? SMYTHE: They say he's been blackballed by Soro: “TAILS OF A GRANDFATHER.” comicbooks.com