Life, 1902-12-25 · page 9 of 77
Life — December 25, 1902 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis **Top Image:** A dramatic scene labeled "Conservative" shows a woman in an elegant dress confronting a seated man, with the caption: "Why don't you go out occasionally, dearest, and enjoy yourself, say at the club? But I don't want to get into the habit of having a good time." This satirizes conservative attitudes about marriage and leisure—the irony being that a wife encourages her husband to enjoy himself socially, yet he refuses for fear of developing bad habits. It mocks both Victorian prudishness and the contradictory logic of excessive self-denial. **Lower Sections:** Include sections titled "Lessons" (discussing laissez-faire economics and free trade) and "Musical" (mentioning operatic stars and Mr. Bagby's musical programs). A small cartoon depicts three figures in conversation with the caption about stealing umbrellas or kisses at church weddings—another satirical jab at social hypocrisy.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SEweLe coceing — CONSERVATIVE. J WHY DON'T YOU GO OUT OCCASIONALLY, DEAREST, AND ENJOY YOURSELP, SAY AT THE CLUB? He: Bvt 1 DON'T WANT TO ORT INTO THE HABIT OF HAVING A GOOD TINE. Lessons. “ A Bc my son, is the doctrine of laissez faire.” “ But is it not a reasonable doc- trine, father?” “ Theoretically. Government is a practical matter.” “And the doctrine of laissez Saire is not practical? ’” “Far from it. Let us take an instance. Free trade is laissez faire. But with free trade, there would be no tariff barons, and with no tariff barons, what would become of the Republican party, and constructive statesmanship, and the national honor, and des- tiny? Graft is the vital element in politics, my son, and there is no graft in laissez faire. It is only as the law meddles in business, or threatens to meddle, that cam- paign funds are possible, and with out campaign funds the triumph of righteous principles is at best problematical.”” Musical. ‘Pas cperatic stars seem will- ing to twinkle in tho day- time for Mr. Bagby, and his musical mornings have become an important feature of the season. Moreover, his programs are inter- esting. T is no crime to steal either an umbrella or a kiss. “ woat's Tue MATTER with Hen? “ OM, Suz's SET HER MZART ON A CHURCH WEDDIN’, AN’ I WON'T STAND FER IT, DAT'S ALL comicbooks.com