Life, 1897-11-04 · page 18 of 20
Life — November 4, 1897 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertisements** with one cartoon titled "A Change of Base." The cartoon depicts two Irish working-class women (identifiable by their dialect spelling: "yez," "feelin'," "shpoke") discussing how a priest's sermon has emotionally transformed one of them. Mrs. Casey feels renewed hope and spiritual comfort from "His Riv'rence's" beautiful talk, making her feel like "a different bein' altogether." **The satire:** The joke relies on ethnic stereotyping common to the era—caricaturing Irish immigrants through exaggerated brogue and religious devotion. The humor targets the perceived susceptibility of working-class Irish Catholics to emotional manipulation by clergy ("shpoke so beautiful"). **Modern context:** This reflects turn-of-century American attitudes toward Irish immigrants, portraying them as simple, religious, and easily swayed by ecclesiastical authority—a form of gentle but condescending ethnic humor typical of *Life* magazine's satirical approach. The rest of the page contains period product advertisements (shoe polish, underwear, whisky, shaving soap).
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
7 VICI Dressing H 4s prepared in the largest leather factory tn the world by the makers of Viel Kidothe Teather in the world, It gives @ ht and lasting lustre, makes tt soft eeps it from cracking in wet jer. ‘The constant use of Viel ede g how to care for shoes and tn+ their wear, mailed free, has for its founda- tion perfect fitting under- garments, comfortable, health- ful. Bold In all ittes and large towns, Hay & Todd Mfg. Co., YPSILANTI, MICH, “Never rip and never tear, Ypstlaats Underwear.” “The Finest Obtainable” A TRULY CHOICE SCOTCH WHISKY AGENT Cc. H. ARNOLD 27 So. William St. NEW YORK CITY A CHANGE OF BASE. Mrs, B.: AN’ WOW DO YEZ BE FEELIN’ TO-DAY, MRS. CASEY ? THIS MOMENT LIFT ABOUT THE SAME 1 DO RE THINKIN; HIS RIV'RINCE HAS JUSHT HIS TALK, HE SHPOKE SO BEAUTIFUL, THAT IT HAS MADE MF FEEL Cos LOT AND LOIKE A DIFFERENT REIN’ ALTOGETHER HAVIN’ PEA D THE WHOLE WOR-R-LD ! } AN’ IT'S A BLISSED FEELIN’ 1 DO BE AT THE PRISINT MOMENT, KNOWIN’ THAT IF TAM CALLED AWAY I SHALL BE AT MOIGHTY GLAD I AM TO HEAR THAT SAME, FOR MRS, MACK: DON'T MINTION THAT WOMAN'S NAME UP OUT O° THIS BED WAN OR THE ITHER IV U BEAUTIFUL ETCHINGS ILLUSTRATING AMERICAN SCENERY sno AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT« anrRroNnnkan } "AMERICA'S GREATEST RAILROAD"* Catalogue Containing miniature reproductions will be Sent free post paid on Teceipt fone ct. stamp, by George H.Daniels, Gen'l.Passr. Agt. Grand. Sorted Station,NewYork. a am eee «ee cents ene cae ey SOLD EVERYWHERE. Williams’ Shaving Stick, 25 cts. Genuine Yankee Shaving Soap, 10 cts. Luxury Shaving Tablet, 25 cts. Swiss Violet Shaving Cream, 50 cts. Jersey Cream (Toilet) Soap, 15 cts. Williams’ Shaving Soap (Darters’), 6 Round C 1b, oes Exquisite so for tolet. Trial ke for 2:3 THE J.B.WILLIAMS CO GLASTONBURY. CONN SUPERIOR to VASELINE and CUCUMBERS to VASELINE CrEME Simon marvellous for softening, whitening and perfuming the and complexion. Most efficacious for light CUCUMBERS affections of the skin. SIMON, 18 rue Grange-Bateliére, PARIS. ), New-York ;