Life, 1894-05-31 · page 13 of 20
Life — May 31, 1894 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two satirical pieces mocking high society and romance conventions of the era. **"Diamonds in Summer"** criticizes gossip columnists who obsessively cover the same wealthy New York families (Van Rensselaer Cruger, Woodward, Bradley-Martin) repeatedly in London society pages. The satire argues these reporters know their job is simply to endlessly repeat famous names for public consumption, regardless of newsworthiness—wearing "on the public nerves" but treated as inevitable. Life appeals to summer readers that they'll still receive this tedious social coverage even while escaping to nature. **"Two Strings to Her Bow"** depicts a romantic scenario where a rejected suitor proposes again after rejection. The woman's dismissal ("cut you out") should discourage him, yet he persists after she tells him not to be discouraged. The accompanying joke exchange mocks romantic relationships: "Don't return" a man's love as advice for keeping it—a cynical quip suggesting emotional distance maintains attraction. Both pieces satirize artifice: society's obsession with status and romantic games lacking genuine feeling.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SMELLING SALTS. DIAMONDS IN SUMMER. HE work of the “ Society" re- porter is not generally con- sidered to be of a nature that de- mands the highest order of literary but there seem to be occasions, even in this kind of work, where discrimination should be exercised, We see in a New York daily that: “The number of Americans, and more especially of New-Yorkers, in London, at present, is surprising. The presentation at the recent drawing- rooms, which are generally limited to four, have in most cases exceeded that number. Mrs. Van Rensselaer Cruger, Miss Woodward, Mrs. Bradley-Martin and several others, whose names are not so well known on this side, have been duly presented and received.” Now, here is a “Society” re- porter who knows his business. He does not waste his talent on “others whose names are not so well known on this side.” He knows that thesecret of fame is the constant reiteration of the same old names. It may be wearing on the public nerves, but the public : must take what it gets. LIFE trusts the “Society” reporter will not forget his duty to the American people during the coming months; that those of us who are away by the sea or the moun- tains, trying to enjoy an out-of-door life among the birds and flowers and summer breezes, will still‘receive news of those ever present social luminaries who have smiled so TWO STRINGS TO HER BOW. persistently upon us from the columns of the daily papers. She: OF COURSE HE CUT YoU OUT, AND I DON'T SEE HOw YOU COULD PROPOSE TO HER AFTER SHE HAD REJECTED YOU ONCE. Mac: What is the best way to retain a man’s love? Cholly: BUT SHE TOLD ME NOT TO LET THAT DISCOURAGE ME! Marie: Don’t return it.