Life, 1897-06-10 · page 18 of 20
Life — June 10, 1897 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes **"The New Journalism"**—a late 19th-century trend of sensationalist reporting where journalists, particularly women, performed dangerous stunts for stories. The poem mocks a female reporter who fearlessly endured extreme ordeals: investigating cannibals in Fiji, being hanged to describe the sensation, diving to wrecks, and being buried alive. The satire's punchline: she *refused* only one assignment—reporting on Jonah being swallowed by a whale—because it was impossible, not dangerous. The joke critiques how "New Journalism" prioritized spectacle over truth. Reporters sought authentic "inside facts" through physical risk, but this female journalist drew the line at the genuinely absurd, exposing the practice's illogic: if danger proves journalistic dedication, why reject the impossible? The accompanying anecdotes mock similar pretensions to earnest documentation. The rest of the page contains period advertisements (tobacco, perfume, medicinal products), typical of Life magazine's format.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE NEW JOURNALISM, Is the interest of the Blatherskite she had gone to far Fiji ‘To investigate the cannibal’s cuisine ; The result of her ** Exposures" forced her rapidly to flee, Or she might have graced the royal soup tureen, In pursuance of her duties she'd been strung up by the neck To describe a lady's feelings when she’s hung ; And in a diver’s dress she once descended on a wreck, An adventure nearly costing her a lung. In a patent safety coffin she had patiently allowed Herself to be interred to prove its worth ; Though forgotten through some oversight she uttered not a word Of complaint about her sojourn under ech, Devotion to her work this young woman proved by acts, And risks and dangers never made her quail ; Rut she kicked when they assigned her to secure some ‘inside facts” About Jonah’s being swallowed by the whale ! —E. D. Pierson, in} York Sun, \—no.”” “Why not?” “I didn’t think that it was necessary. I don't see how he could call any more, now, He calls seven times a week.""— Washington Star. Presipent McCosh, of Princeton, was accustomed to lead the morning exercises in the chapel every day, and during the exercises he gave out t! notices to the studeats. One morning, after he had read the notices, a stud came up with a notice that Professor Kargé’s French class would be at nine o'clock that day, instead of half-past nineas usual. Dr. McCosh said it was too late, but the student insisted that Professor Kargé would be much disappointed if the notice was not read. The exercises went on and the doctor forgot all about the notice. He started to make the final prayer. He prayed for the President of the United States, the members of the Cabinet, the senators and repre: tatives, the governor of New Jersey, the mayor, and other officials of P: ton, and then came to the professors and instructors in the college. The Professor Kargé’s notice came into his mind, and the assembled students were ned to hear the venerable president say : “And, Lord, bless Profe: whose French class will be held this morning at nine o'clock instead of at half-past nine as usual.”"—Argonaut, Capstan Those Fine English Tobaccos airs ie pot on oy» W, Dy & He O. WILLS 2¢ tis. racant Westward Ho the world over for thetr superb flay Three Castles you by your dealer dec'ehdid Write to us for pricelist of the wellknown brands, GOld Flakeyete. J. W. SURBRUG, Sole Agent, 159 Fulton Street, NEW YORK. xqnisite arom The Princess of Wales ORDERS OL YN HOFEF’S HALT E Please send for th six dozen of JOWA as possible, Kindly give two bottles to bearer for to-day's 1 heon, Yours faithfully, JOUN GWILLIM, Cellarman H.R. load. One 1 give more scent of rare Fragrance and Delicacy. Has all the true odor of fresh natural Violets. Be sure and cer “N° 4711" voamPAtecrTOLLET WATER ett A) MULHENS & KROPFF, NEW YORK.v.S. AGENTS‘ » z VEeCe een! PEK yagenneyy Comicbooks.com