Life, 1897-12-09 · page 6 of 20
Life — December 9, 1897 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Civilization the Leveller" - Analysis The top cartoon satirizes social pretension and hierarchy. A formally dressed figure (appearing to be of high status) is literally being leveled—knocked down—by figures representing common people or "civilization." The caption "He Approaches His Celestial Majesty" suggests mockery of someone's inflated sense of importance. The bottom cartoon, titled "Mikado!!," depicts what appears to be chaos or disruption involving bicycles and people in disarray, likely satirizing either reckless modern behavior or social disorder. The "Society" section discusses Manhattan social events and attendees from January. Together, these suggest *Life* magazine's recurring theme: mocking the pretensions of the wealthy and socially prominent, showing that progress and modernity have a leveling effect on traditional class hierarchies.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
516 Tleancd mine that way too. For part of a minute we leaned thus We two alone. Then [ glanced up and found her looking at me with big surprise in her eyes. She quickly looked away again, but she had seen what Twas doing. I ad been kissing the daisy she several times, I think. It wasa foolish thing todo. Perhaps I blushed. “Oh, look!” she said; ‘the fog is coming in from the sea.” But [did not look at the fog. “You saw me,” [ said what T did.” It will soon reach us,” she said “You saw what I did,” [ repeated But you did sce. Its too late now The sunset was “You saw “Tm sorry. you saw glowing on her cheek; it was all T could sce of her face T said, “that Pm afraid Pm no Why, I can't be a friend of yours, [won't be a friend of “T may as well tell lof yours yours, Its alla big lie, You sce through me now, I'ma hypocrite. Do a hate me?” I could see only her left ear, and the hair with sunset in it. 1 wanted to see her eyes. Lcame nearer along the rail ‘Let's hurry home,” she said. I'm id of the f not ‘let's hurry home 1 do not hate you.” love you Ah, don't, my friend!” That was with a little gasp of fright + But,” T said, Lam not your friend Must I he 1 was trembling. I think Tdon't know, Here comes the fog. he did not move. But L know,” [said. The mil was shaking, [To remember. ‘You aren't afnaid of the fog, are you? Please look at me ‘No, 'm not afraid.” She looked at me for the first time since she caught me with the daisy, Then the fog came down around us, us two alone. And that was the end of our friend ship, our poor little friendship down hy the links, that was to last forever. Are you not sorry for our friendship? But We are not esse Lynch Willians > LIFE: CIVILIZATION THE LEVELLER. “Me APPR OE LESTIAL MAJESTY, THE MIKADO 1 Society. BOUT every man and woman with any claim to soc recognition was present, unless kept away by mourning or absence from the city. Among the beautiful young matrons present were Mrs. Newbold Pusher, Mrs. Royal Rayment, Mra. Olwaiz Thayer, Mrs. Lord Howe Stunning and Mrs. J. Gad- ding-Gadding. The most important and most brilliant incident of the week was the concert at the Castoria, on Monday night. Mrs, Bonds Tooburn, in a gorgeous gown of velvet and satin and wearing many of her famous jewels, had with ber in her box Mrs, Olifur Show, who looked remarkably well in a gown of rose pink. Among others in the audience were Mr. and Mrs. Kommunbut Innitt, Mr, and Mes. Buxham Roobiz, and Mr. and Mrs. Richern Mudd. Mrs. Muchinprint entered late, also wearing costly clothing. Mr. and Mrs. Van Damm Expensse will give a ball in January.