Life, 1902-05-29 · page 19 of 20
Life — May 29, 1902 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The cartoon depicts a street musician or organ-grinder performing for a gathered crowd in what appears to be a European town setting. The caption jokes that while music is traditionally said to "soothe the savage beast," a **pageboy** (a young hotel or household servant) thinks otherwise—implying the boy finds the music annoying or objectionable rather than charming. The humor lies in this reversal of the common saying: instead of music's universal appeal, even a mere servant boy rejects it. The satire gently mocks either the quality of street musicians' performances or perhaps the pretensions of those who assume everyone appreciates music. The page is primarily **advertising**—for wall paper, carpets, biscuits, wax products, and whiskey—with this single cartoon as the main editorial content. This was typical for *Life* magazine during this era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
MUSIC HATH CHARMS, BUT THE PAGE BOY THINKS OTHERWIsB.—ASoonshine, AN LL ALL a :: silky: finish to fabrics.’ -. Retains ‘its Shape &will out=last any. other wax’ LAME, PROOF CO, NEW YORK THE SHEGERTS SUE ANGOSTURA BITTERS INTRINGERS. Charlton & Copeland, attorneys for Messrs. A sult was filed on May 1st last in the U. 8. Ciroult Court, Northern Districi. of Titnoie, by Messrs. Dr. J, G. B. Stegert & Sons, against the Julius Marcus Cordial ‘ompany for selling an imitation under the name of Angostura Bitters. Mr. J Wuppermann, the acent of Angostara Bitters in this country, promises to proc {stringers who illegally use their trade mark" i ced with the utmost vigor against all Angostura Bitters.” Nationat Biscurt ComPany. | = AS GOOD AS WE CAN | Is the way we make Wall Paj ra. There is ratiefac- tion and profit in it for us, for the dealer, and for yoa. Book free, | ‘The Pittsburg Wall Paper Co., New Brighton, Pa. eSboenol) SUMMER CARPETS AND RUGS, Wilton and Brussels Carpets, Cotton, Jute and Grass Rugs, In coloring and designs specially adapted for Summer Houses. Seashore Piazza Rugs. NEW YORK. Rroadoay KH 1916 ot. OLD CROW RYE srtor WHISKEY sxc H. B. KIRK & CO., BOTTLERS, NEW YORK. comicbooks.com