Life, 1893-01-05 · page 10 of 60
Life — January 5, 1893 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page Analysis This page introduces **M. E. W.** (initials only; the author's full identity is not stated), a retiring poet whose work has appeared in *Life* magazine. The text notes she is a woman—apparently a surprise to readers who might have assumed otherwise from the initials alone. The accompanying illustration shows a portrait of M. E. W. surrounded by decorative cherubs and classical imagery, suggesting her refined, sentimental poetic style. Below are congratulatory verses from reader groups: "The Amalgamated Association of Bad Poets" and "The Dude Club" offer humorous mock-serious salutations wishing her success, with playful jabs at bad poetry and literary pretension typical of *Life*'s satirical humor. This appears to be a celebratory feature rather than sharp political satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
M. E,W. VER since the first year of LiFE’s existence the above initials have been familiar to its readers. They have been appended to some of the daintiest bits of verse that have graced our pages. M. E,W. is a retiring person, and de- sires to be known through her work rather than her personality. At our earnest solic- itation, however, and in view of the joyful event we celebrate, she has permitted us to publish her likeness. But for one thing, our readers would have been quite sure before this that M. E. W. was a woman, Her verses have the delicacy of touch, the refinement of sentiment, and the gentleness of thought that show not only the woman, but the woman well-bred and of far more than superficial attainments. M. E. W., how- ever, is distinctly, though delicately, humor- ous. This is a rare qualification ina mem- ber of the sex which, when it drops into poetry is more apt to deal with sighs and heartbreaks than with smiles and happi- ness. Contrary to all the other internal evidence in her work, it might have led to the belief that Miss W—there, we came very near betraying her name—was a man. Lire’s readers have been the gainers by this unusual combination of daintiness and humor, and doubtless join with us in the harsh criticism that we see too little of her work. CONGRATULATORY. EAR LIFE: You know us so well that we are sure But no matter how they rave you will be glad to hear from us again, and especially In ther literary grave, Riper Ieee netweatt ese A ; i ? ere comes a gracious whisper from the strife ; on this auspicious occasion. We send you the enclosed Ode By their utmost, best endeavor. for which you need of remit at the customary rate paid for They can never, never, never, bad poetry. Find any way again to come to Lire. iy eal ; Wishing you every success, we remain, Now upon this day so cheery, Pail i sAtetanalay a We don't mens intake yon well Faithfully and constantly yours, With our customary mournful tale of woe ; THE AMALGAMATED ASSOCIATION OF BAD POE But we want to join the ranks Of those now giving thanks, ‘That Lire through a decade has prospered so, Tue Dube Cup, Dec. to. From the depths of the waste-basket, Dp BOY: Many happy weturns! We don’t weally Which has proved the final casket enjoy the way you wap at us and ou-ah clothes, but Of reams of verse that should have brought us fame, all the same we wish you gweat pwospewity. We hear a mighty chorus bes i Of bad poets gone before us, Youahs twuly, Who sought to print their verses tame and lame. : CHOLLIE AND CHAPPIE, * * * comicbooks.com