Life, 1896-08-20 · page 12 of 20
Life — August 20, 1896 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 140 This page contains satirical commentary on Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, then emperor during World War I. **"Willie Is With Us"** is the main joke: *Life* magazine claims to have hired Kaiser Wilhelm as a correspondent for "eight cents a cubic foot"—a deliberately absurd rate. The satirical point mocks both Wilhelm's ego (he supposedly accepts, boasting "he himself has said" he has no equal on earth) and the magazine's tongue-in-cheek claim to journalistic reach. The accompanying illustration labeled "Willie's Busy Day" shows the Kaiser at work, reinforcing the conceit. The other content on the page—brief humorous pieces about an Episcopal minister, a girl's bicycle courtship, and a grimy worker—appears unrelated filler typical of *Life*'s format. The satire assumes readers recognize "Willie" as Wilhelm II and understand the joke relies on his notorious self-aggrandizement. The hostile tone reflects American wartime sentiment toward Germany.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
140 WILLIE IS WITH US! ‘The Greatest Man on Earth Consents to Join Life’s Staff. WHE we heard recently that one of our contemporaries was making futile efforts to secure the peror of Germany as a special writer, in accordance with our well- WILLIE'S BUSY DAY. known enterprise, we immediately cabled him and have just received the following reply: “* LIFE, “\New York. “Your offer of eight cents a cubic foot accepted, provided you publish my picture. Will begin at once. “WILLIE.” Thus all doubts are set at rest, and Lire has again shown that it has no equal in journalistic enterpris We take pleasure in completing the bar- gain and presenting a picture of our correspondent, showing him in his new role. Now that William is on our pay- roll, Lire’s well-known modesty pre- vents us from alluding at length to his great attainments. It is not too much to say, however, that Wil- m of Germany has no equal on earth, for he himself has said it. “LIFE: A PREFERENCE. “wry would you rather be an Epis- copal minister than any other, Bobbie?” “It's easier.” “How so?” “‘T wouldn't have to change my bicycle suit ‘cause I could wear a white robe over it.” A WARNING. pegs lips were all a-pout, And wrinkles wreathed her brows, As wrinkles do when pretty girls Engage in petty rows. The mother of Paulina had Refused to let her go A-wheeling with the nice young man Paulina had for a beau. Nay, nay Pauline,” her mother said, ** You must not go alone ; And being stout, you know that I Won't act as chaperon.” ** But, Mamma, listen,” urged the maid; “You know, or ought to know How many miles I've gone when I Am out an hour or so.” “You know that my cyclometer Is certain to betray The minutes that, perhaps you think We dally on the way.” Her mother frowned. ‘* My dear,” she said, **Last night I chanced to see Your beau and you absorbed in talk Beneath a spreading tree.” “And as you talked, he whirled your wheel Until the figures showed That you had traveled twenty miles Or more along the road.” L'Exvot. Oh maidens fair and lovers true, If you would win your fight, Don't play your cyclometric game Unless you're out of sight. W, J. Lampton. ISITOR: Don't you find your life monotonous? GripMan : Indeed, I do. In the last ten trips only women s5 Jack 2?" ““WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THAT and children have been killed. I OING TO DROP IT ON THE VIVISECTOR, . DOWN THERE, TO SEE HOW A CONCUSSION AFFECTS, like a man for a change. THE BRAIN. IT 1S RIGHT IN IIS OWN LINE.” is