Life, 1897-11-18 · page 8 of 26
Life — November 18, 1897 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This page from *Life* magazine contains a satirical article about Professor Hornblower, an Arctic explorer who plans to publicize his expedition through American newspapers and advertising. The accompanying illustration shows a man in winter clothing delivering flowers, captioned "Delivering Flowers to Commander Hornblower the day of article[s]." The satire targets the commercialization of scientific exploration—Hornblower will lecture for "$1,000 a night" and allow newspapers to manipulate his story for profit. The joke is that modern explorers are less interested in genuine discovery than in public relations and profit-sharing arrangements. The page also includes an article praising Robert A. Van Wyck as Mayor-elect of Greater New York, and a brief piece about deception titled "How He Fools Folks."
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
412 ““T have spent six weeks in Boston in the early spring.” ““Good! Then no sudden change of temperature can kill you. Will you take charge of a little excursion to the Pole for the cause of science?” Here the Professor looked cautiously about, then approached the great editor. ‘‘All that talk about science is only to fool the public. There is no possi- bility of anything being discovered up there that can prove of the slightest value to—” “Yes, I know all that, Professor, and so does everybody else. “Then why waste our time in trying to fool the public?” “Because they like it. ery new explorer—and they never discover any- thing—excites the same old interest and Delivering flowers to Commander Horn- blower the day of sailing. he becomes a hero. Yes, the public not only like it, but they pay handsomely for it.” “Well, I guess you are right, Lire. They do seem to like it. When shall I start?” “Within a month,” “Shall I resort to the usual devices? Compel my comrades to sign a contract to publish nothing relating to the expe- dition within two years of our return, so that my own book will have the inside track?” “Yes, of course.” “And set up the usual talk about ocean currents, magnetic variations, un- expected flora, atmospheric phenomena, and all that?” LIFE “Of course.” “And lecture when I get home at a thousand dollars a night?" “Certainly. “And will you manipulate American readers, work the advertising and see to the papers?” “1 will.” “*And keep the public in a proper state of suspense until I heave in sight?” “Count on me.” “* And how about the profits?” “One-half yours and one-half mine.” “Done !" And they shook hands. Thus, simple manner and for the love of science was conceived this glorious enterprise. As we pen these words with moistened eyes Professor Hornblower is bounding o'er the vasty main, an Arctic winter before him. Fame and opulence, how- ever, are awaiting his return. ina Amendment Suggested. ISS WILLARD said at the meeting of the National Wo- men's Christian Temperance Union in Buffalo the other day that ‘the supreme duty of the hour is to con- vince the moderate drinker that he is doing himself harm.” If he is doing himself harm he is not a mod- erate drinker. Does Miss Willard realize what a lot of soaks there are who masquerade as moderate drinkers? Does she recognize mod- erate drinking when she sees it? The very essence of moderation in drink innocuousness, If Miss Willard will amend her speech toread: “The supreme duty of the hour is to con- vince the soaks that they are not moderate drinkers,’ she will gain some support which she does not get now. _ Soaks, whether completed or in process of making, are very ob- jectionable. Miss Willard is welcome to have her way with them as far as she can get it. How He Fools Folks. OES he ever tell the truth?” “Oh, yes. When he wants to deceive people.” C'EST LAMOUR. MARY, THERE 15 WARIOUS KINDS 0° Love, NS MNO CURTIUS TOLD TO NELL PARTING Dav"? Robert A. Van Wyck. HE face of Robert Van Wyck, Mayor-elect of the Greater New York, is expressive of great determination, and there can be no doubt that he will live up to the promises he has made. It has been brutally stated by some members of the press that Mr. Van Wyck is a mere figurehead, nominated because he was pliable. Nothing could .be more untrue. Mr. Van Wyck can be relied upon to use the great power of his office simply and solely to carry out the high-minded, snow- white principles of Tammany Hall. For this purpose he has been elected by the people of New York, who know precisely what they want and what to expect. That Mr. Van Wyck will carry out their hopes and expecta- tions is beyond cavil. Sensitive to the core to the people's interest, pa- triotic to the backbone, seeking only todo the most good in those quar- ters where it will be most appreciated, Mr. Van Wyck represents a high type of politician—the highest, perhaps, that this great community can boast of. Lire has great faith in Mr, Van Wyck, knowing full well that he will not disappoint the able and incor- ruptible lieutenants who aided and abetted in his election. at