Life, 1897-04-08 · page 3 of 26
Life — April 8, 1897 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "This is Life?" - Sanctum Talks This satirical cartoon depicts two figures in what appears to be a magazine or newspaper office (suggested by papers and desk clutter). The left figure, identified as "King William," is a ruler or authority figure visiting the office of what appears to be a magazine editor or publisher (on the right). The satire mocks the contrast between grandiose self-perception and mundane reality. King William presents himself as a great patron of arts and sciences seeking the editor's advice, but the editor dismissively suggests this is merely a magazine office concerned with "real merit"—deflating the visitor's pretensions. The joke hinges on the editor's casual indifference to the supposed importance of his visitor, treating him as just another person seeking publication or validation.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
VOLUME XxIX lusice EIGN NUMBER 746 ‘LIFE: sels SANCTUM TALKS Y, ‘COHIS is L “Yes. Good morning, Mr.—" “I, sir, am King William.” “What! Can it be? Oh, high and mighty ruler, illustrious poten- tate, father of all the sciences, grand patron of arts and literature, I] bow before thee in all humility, as before the greatest thing on earth! Sit down, King.” “T came in—" **Not to seek my poor advice? You overwhelm me.” “Yes. You sce, I have ambitions. I seek greater things.” “T presume you hope some day, O Sire, to be the Tom Platt of Germany.” “I fear thatis beyond me. Still—” “Still, you are young, and the Reichstag can be jammed.” “Sure; but that is a side issue. I want to talk to you about my pic- tur ‘Look here, King. Do you ex- pect me to look at your work?” “Well, I—I—" “‘Now don’t get embarrassed. I am kind to all —kings, politicians, damphools and others, all alik “Thanks. Well, yes, I thought—” “Now, William, let us understand each other, You are not on your own ground now. Over there you may compel them to suffer, but “Then you—" “Yes, I refuse. of my own.” ‘But I also write.” ‘My dear king, you are under a wrong impression. This is no maga- zine office. We consider only real merit.” “Oh! Good morning.” “Good morning, Willi I have troubles