Life, 1890-07-24 · page 7 of 16
Life — July 24, 1890 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "In the Surf" - A Period Romantic Comedy This illustration depicts a lighthearted beach scene with two figures in water. The dialogue reveals a flirtation between a man and woman: he's attempting to assist her to shore, but she's rejecting his help, claiming the waves—though rude—aren't fresh (implying they're not offensive). The humor relies on the woman's clever wordplay and her independence, refusing assistance despite appearing to need it. This reflects early 20th-century attitudes toward courtship and female autonomy at leisure settings like beaches, which were increasingly popular social venues. The subsequent dialogue about "four pups" and "dog biscuit" continues the playful, domestic tone, suggesting marriage prospects. The poetry sections that follow emphasize summer romance and youthful transience—typical Life magazine themes celebrating seasonal leisure culture.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
breakers that surround these islands; the little hills of the island of Samson and the flower farm that lies between ; the old house with its centu- ries of tradition, and bric-a- brac collected by generations of sailors; the Ancient Lady in her hooded chair ; the with- ered servants who sit in the background and smoke, and the center figure of it all, the beautiful: Armorel (‘black hair, black eyes, a strongly marked brow, a dark cheek of warm and ruddy hue, the lips full but the mouth finely curved, features large but reg- ular’ )—all these things are painted in soft colors and gray tints, with streaks of sunlight here and there. Indeed, this First Part is so good, that C.Certatan - IN THE SURF. when the action changes to Mr. Boldboy (smiling hitlingly): TWF WAVES ARE USING YOU RUDELY. WILL You PERMIT ME London, and the unreal, dis- 7 ASSIST YOU TO THE sHOKE ? torted, and wholly artificial Miss Waterly: NEVER MIND, THANK YOU. ‘THE WAVES MAY BE RUDE BUT THEY ARE NOT FRESH, life is portrayed, one becomes impatient of the novelist and his book for leading one into such a depressing atmosphere through so pleasant a portal. Droch. NEW BOOKS. VIEWS AND REVIEWS, By W. E. Henley. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, Practical Sanitary and Economic Cooking. By Mary Hinman Abel. Rochester: American Public Health Association. In Stella's Shadow, By Albert Ross, New York: G. W. Dillingham. THE CRY OF THE EXTRA GIRLS. (See illustration on next page.) a \ JE sit in groups upon the beach, A fluffy mass of Summer dresses, We break in little waves of speech, We give each other quick caresses. But though our laughter echoes gay, Above the crowd's persistent humming, Our thoughts are very far away. We wonder when the men are coming! Oh, careless youths in flannel clad, Why waste this golden, perfect weather ? Let every lassie and her lad, Go roaming o'er the rocks together. For youth is brief, and time flies fast, And waits for none ; the more's the pity. The Summer time wi]] soon be past, And Autumn drive us ‘9 the city. A GOOD HOME FOR THEM. OBWIGGER : What makes you think those four pups will please your wife ? YOuNGH AND: Because I'm sure shecould make such nice dog biscuit. OLD aS THE HILLS—The valleys. The tennis ground is smooth and green, The beach’s sands are gleaming whitely ; A brighter moon was never secn Than rises o'er the waters nightly. Then come while yet the days are long, And stir us from our lazy leisure, Till life goes gayly, like a song To which our pulses throb in measure. And when the sea and skies are grey, And woods to gold and crimson turning, Then say good-bye, and go your way To business cares, or college learning. We'll drop the curtain on our parts, Of breaking faith you won't accuse us; We do not ask you for your hearts, We only ask you to amuse us. S. St. G. Laurence. comicbooks.com