Life, 1898-04-02 · page 7 of 32
Life — April 2, 1898 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 267 This page contains a satirical theatrical piece featuring two scenes. The main illustration shows a formally dressed butler—"the rigid figure of the butler," as captioned—standing stiffly in a doorway, representing the stereotype of rigid, proper household service. The dialogue satirizes social pretension and domestic absurdity. Characters discuss missing slippers, eaten food, and dropped gloves with exaggerated formality. Mr. Van L.B. and Miss Ashurst embody upper-class affectation, while the butler's unwavering propriety becomes the target of humor—poking fun at both servant rigidity and aristocratic manners. The decorative illustration below (featuring a butterfly) appears purely ornamental. Overall, this mocks Edwardian-era class consciousness and household hierarchies through comedic domestic situations.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“The rigid figure of the butler.” ‘LIFE: Miss A. (‘ying recklessly): “Vive been out three years. Lused to be fearfully nervous and easily rat- ued, but [ have gotten over that entirely.” (Again that feeling ou her neck, It can’t be—but yes, it is!) Mr. Van L. BAtohimself): “Most extraordinary young person There's that expression again (Aloud) Please go on, you're doing Mise A (actzing opportunity, when her neighbor ix helping himeif to something, to take off her violets and drop them under the table.) Mr. Van L. Bo (turning): "Why, Miss Ashhurst, where are your violets” Mine A. (blushing): faded, so T threw them away. Mr, Van LL. B. (to himself): “That’sa lie (Aload) Excuse me for being personal, Miss Ashburst, but you have caten absolutely nothing.” Misx A. (cho shivers at the mer mention of food); * What an idea! I've caten enormously.” Mr. Van bh. Bo (to himself): “Jove! That's another. (Aloud) Aren't you going to throw any more light on your character?” Misx A.: ** No, really, there is nothing clse to tell, (To heretf) Oh! where is my slipper? T kicked it off because it hurt, and now T can't find it.” (Peers desper ately under the table.) Mr. Van L. Bos “Mave you 267 dropped your glove, or anything ? Let me get i (Stoops down.) Miss Ashhurst (to herself): °° He must not find it! (Aloud) No, in deed, here they both are.” (Holds her gloves up eagerly.) (She sees hor hostess give the nal for departure, — She must conceal her loss. Nods adieu to Mr. Van L. B., and finds out to her cost that there is a difference be- tween a) French heel and no slipper.) Mr. Van Le. B. (to himself, ax he lightsa cigar aud sighs coutentealy) “T wonder if that walk of hers is natural, or cultivated 1” Scene: The Drawing-room. The gentlemen have joined the ladies, and the talk Hows on smoothly, The door is opencd, and on the threshold appears the id figure of the butler, bearing tray on which a white satin slipper (surcly a number five!) rests conspicuously, — Tableau. ScENE : Miss Asbhurst’s Home Time: Midnight Mrs, Ashhurst (comforting a weep ing figure): © Don't cry, Marian The first plunge is always the coldest.” Miss Ashhurst (betitcen sobs): “Oh—mummie—is there —are there —any biscuits — in — the house % CURTAIN,