Life, 1897-05-20 · page 18 of 20
Life — May 20, 1897 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertisements and a poem**, not political satire. The main visual content includes: 1. **"Ballade of Ye Springtime"** (left): A humorous poem about spring cleaning mishaps—a husband searching for his wife during the chaos of spring renovation and painting, culminating in a slapstick fall down the stairs. This is light satirical commentary on the annual tradition of spring home maintenance. 2. **Anecdote about Scottish emigrants** (center): A joke about why Scots who leave home are more successful than those who stay—suggesting emigration screening removes the less ambitious. This is mild social commentary, not sharp political satire. 3. **Various period advertisements**: Insurance (The Prudential), roof paint, bicycles, shaving products, and lanterns dominate the page. **No identifiable political cartoons or caricatures** appear here. The content is consistent with *Life* magazine's mix of genteel humor, practical advice, and commercial advertising from the early 20th century. The satire is domestic and observational rather than explicitly political.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
* LIFE: BALLADE OF YE SPRINGTYME. It was the merry springtime, When paint and soap abound, And ladders high Outrage the eye And cleanliness is crowned. It was a nervy merchant Who yearned for home and food, Who risked his neck, ‘Midst front hall's wreck, To find the wife he wooed, It was the parlor mirror Through which His left did ight foot went; n the ash pan, fist wrecked a pane, hing thuds, ery brain * My dear, the grand piano,” His wite called, overhead, “Pp nove upstairs !” niac glares, 'Twas here he fell down dead, Accessible location, excellent table, Prompt service. | HOTEL VENDOME-BOSTON [BIG AND STRONG The Prudential Is one of the largest and strongest Life Insurance Com- panies in the world. Whether you seek Protection, Investment, or both combined, THE PRUDENTIAL can supply your wants. Assets, - : Income, - - $19,541,827 14,358,445 Surplus, - - 4,034,116 The PAUDENTISL Ages 1 to 70. Amounts $15 to $50,000 STRENGTH Men, Women, and Children. of Write for particulars, GIBRALTAR. The Prudential Insurance Company of America. HOME OFPICE, NEWARK, N. J, Chicago Daily News. PSS VAYAVAVAN ALY AVA VAY NA CN AYAVAYNAYAVAVANAYAZAY]24 R $$ JOHN F. DRYDEN, President. KEEP A ROOF: THe Duchess of Devonshire asked a very silly Scorch nobleman how it happened that the Scots who came out of their own country were, generally speaking, men of more ability than those who remained at home. ‘* Oh, madame,” said he, ‘the reason is obvious. At every 3 OVER.YOUR HEAD : 10, 15 or 20 years without repairing it by painting it with Dt Roof Paint # wear, proof st the elements. best and most economical means of pro- outlet there are persons stationed to examine all who | tecting all exposed iron, wood and brick $4 | PSs, and for the honor of their country no one is per- | “Then,” said she, ‘I suppose your lordship was smug- once for war syecta 3 | wled 2” Ware. bridge. Covers double the surface o other paint. A book entitled about Paint” mailed free. JOS. DIXON CRUCIBLE CO., Jersey City, Nod. EA VATAVAVATAVAVAYAVAVAVAVAVATAY NAVA ATAYWAT work, from a farm tool to a railroad mitted to leave it who is not a man of ship ate aang: | 0. N. MEAD CYCLE CO., Watash ave,, Chi QOOOODIOOOOSDOGOSSSOGOOOS CREAMY LUXURIOUS LATHER ‘“Search-Light” Always Bright. 25 Years’ Experience. 8 The Oldest Ww © Makers in & | ce DODOOQOOQOOO COOQOOOOS © The Leader! A lantern that does not jar or blow out. Reflecting surfaces are always bright. All riders say it is THE BEST. Bridgeport Brass Co. Send for Catalog BRIDGEPORT, CONN. No. 47+ x THE J.B.WILLIAMS CO. GLASTONBU CaraLoaue FREE. Western Wheel Works, CHICAGO. - - NEW YORK, 4 CALAI