Life, 1905-06-01 · page 15 of 52
Life — June 1, 1905 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Main Cartoon (top):** Shows two fashionably dressed figures struggling to burn a globe labeled "Earth." The caption reads "Why! The nasty old thing won't burn. It must be wet." This appears to be satirizing either environmental concerns or social/political resistance to change—the "old thing" that stubbornly refuses destruction despite efforts. **"Seeing Boston" (center):** A satirical diary mocking tourists visiting Boston's historical sites. The humor targets both tourists' ignorance and Boston's rapid modernization. The visitor confuses landmarks (thinks subway structures are settler tombs, mistakes a train station for the Public Library) and encounters ethnic stereotypes (Italian names at Paul Revere's house, a Jewish shopkeeper). The satire suggests Boston's historical identity is being erased by modern construction and immigration. **"Aftermath" (bottom):** A marital joke where the newlywed wife, despite appearing pensive, reveals she's actually worried about affording the lifestyle their wedding gifts suggest they should maintain—poking fun at middle-class financial anxieties and conspicuous consumption expectations.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“wry! Memorial Day. N modern parlance Let us say We celebrate Again to-day The merger of ‘The Blue and Gray. ‘Seeing Boston.” (EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARY OF A PILGRIM.) URIL 10, 1905. 10:30. M. Visited Paul Revcre’s mansion at the North End. Brisk stiletto debate between Pietro Spaghetti and Pasquale Macaroni in progress upstairs, so youth on corner tells me, Refrained from entering mansion, for I had no desire to be jugged as a witness, 11:00. M, Saw Old North Church on Salem Street, Narrowly escaped being pulled into shop of Harris Cohen, who wanted to sell me a pair of trousers for “a tollar and a kevatter.” THE NASTY OLD THING WON'T BURN, 11:30. A.M. Inspected Faneuil Hall, Fine display of rib roasts on exhibition here, and the most attractive butter Leversaw. General smell quite appetizing. Historic. 12:30 P.M. Visited Old South Church on Washington Street, Looks newer than I ex- pected it would, It is eleven stories high, has marble floor, express elevators and a cigar Bought good cigar. Structure appears to have undergone much alteration since middle of 18th century. 2:00 P.M. On Common : neat little park, with small puddle in centre, probably left by subway contractors, Mistook granite con- structions along Tremont Street Mall fcr tombs of early settlers; was told they were entrances to subway, : 230 P.M, Saw “Bulfinch Front.” Not much to brag of, Kind native pointed out Representative Haggerty, whose front: was somewhat more imposing. Thanked nativ 3:00 P.M. Visited Public Library ; couldn't see any books, ete. and was told it’ was Back Bay Railroad Station. Begged pardon, stand, IT MUST BE WET.” Tourists are prone to make these embarrass- ing blunders, 4700 P.M. On Back Bay; saw Mrs, Jack Gardner's palace. Superb view of Roxbury breweries in background. 5:00 P, M, Bought copy of Hearst's Boston American, Wonder why he called it “ Ameri- can”? Beastly east wind; glad to get back to hotel. Aftermath. R. HAPPIEMAN (with a brave at- tempt at pleasantry): Why so pensive? Is the honeymoon beginning to pall on my little bride ? Mrs. Happieman (throwing off her air oj preoccupation): Not at all, dear! I was merely engaged in trying to solve the problem : How long will it take us to save a sum sufficient to en- able us to live in a style in keeping with our presents ? comicbooks.com