Life, 1898-09-15 · page 20 of 20
Life — September 15, 1898 — page 20: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main cartoon depicts a bishop conversing with a woman at what appears to be a formal social gathering. She's wearing a low-cut gown; he responds that he finds such exposed necklines acceptable because he's "been in Africa." **The satire:** This jokes about European colonial attitudes and the perceived "civilizing mission" in Africa. The bishop's logic suggests that exposure to African customs has made him tolerant of Western women's fashion—implying that African dress or culture is somehow less modest or refined. The humor relies on contemporary prejudices: the contrast between clerical propriety and worldly experience, combined with condescending assumptions about Africa as "uncivilized." The page is otherwise filled with period advertisements for tonics, perfume, suspenders, ale, and rye whiskey—typical Life magazine content from this era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ee £ Sts tO CURE Tobacco Habit September 15, “BISHOP, DON'T YOU FIND THESE GOWNS APPEAR EXTREMELY DECOLLETE?” WELL, YOU MUST REMEMBER THAT 1 HAVE BEEN IN AFRICA.” yspepsia ?="_ Y The Ideal French Toate FOR BODY AND BRAIN Since 1863, Endorsed by Medical Faculty immediate fasting efficacious agreeable MMARIAN! Wi! a The most pungent, exhilarating and refreshing Perfume. ‘= Used by persons of refinement. Imported into America for three-quarters of a Century. Be sure to get ‘ No. 4711,”’ which is the standard in all civilized countries. MULHENS “ Simply a Good Old Ale.” —that’s It, precisely, and tells tn a straighifor- Ward, honest way, just what Evans’ Ale To make {t so hax been the unceasing ¢ for one hundred and eleven years of C. H. EVANS & SONS, Brewers, Malsters and Bottlers, Hudson, N.Y. Three of a Kind beat two pairs, but one pair of beats two pairs of any other make. It's in the “graduated” cord ends— Elastic in places for comfort; Non-elastic in places for durability. Ask your furnisher for the “Endwell,” of send Sec. for a sam, st Sexe? Talever free, tor. gor faraisbers name tf be does not keep" Endwell Braces.” CHESTER SUSPENDER CO. 3 Decatur Ave., Roxbury Crossing, Mass. WCC TEU 8808 The Laws of the Medes and Persians Never Changed Neither does the quality of “Old Crow Aye" It is always superior to any oe brand in the United States, aod © admitted by all connoisseurs. Tbs what comes of buying the best gr using the finest water and {ai adhering to the old formula a4 methods, even if it does cost more? produce the article, Its excellest warrants it, Buy from relublt dealers only, H. B. KIRK & Co, 69 Fulton St., also B'way & 27th St. Agents for the Great Western Champagnes