Life, 1897-11-25 · page 7 of 20
Life — November 25, 1897 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Life Magazine Page 437: "The Same Old Game" - Polar Expedition This page documents Life's satirical coverage of a polar expedition aboard "The Same Old Game." The main cartoon shows the ship's interior crowded with passengers, depicting a champagne-laden voyage rather than serious exploration. The satirical point: this is presented as a frivolous wealthy expedition, not genuine scientific research. The text includes diary excerpts from Commander Hornblower describing strict discipline measures—rationing champagne and cocktails, establishing watches—suggesting mutinous crew behavior that required harsh authority. The portrait identifies Tooter Loud as "Geologist and Stoker," likely a satirical character name. The "breakfast à la carte" sketch below shows the expedition's indulgent dining. The satire mocks polar expeditions as fashionable social events masquerading as scientific endeavors, filled with wealthy passengers rather than serious explorers.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Life’s Polar Expedi- tion. HE Same Old Game g is now speeding on her way to the Pole. Every morning prompt- ly at nine-thirty a carrier- pigeon staggers into LiF: office bearing under his left wing a bundle of weighty manuscript, fresh from Commander Hornblower's graphic pen. Weare, therefore, enabled to keep a feverish public fully informed about the progress of our expedition. BREAKFAST—a (a carte, ‘ THE. SAME OLD GAME §@ se = = ed BO a Lire’s POLAR ExPEDITION.—Loading Champagne Before the Start. Here are some extracts from the professor's diary: Nov. 17.—We weighed anchor this morning at seyen bells, and, with everything set and a fresh breeze from the southeast, passed out into the broad Atlantic, ‘The first thing I did was tocall all hands aft and divide them into watches, Klopdyke Synker, navigator, took the starboard watch and I took the port. After this we all tooka drink, and the articles were read and finally agreed to. When I came tothe clause, how- ever, limiting every man aboard to two quarts of champagne a day and a cocktail before every meal, there was a note of disap- proval. Hamilton Sly, ringleader of the fo'castle, stepped forward and demanded in addition that there should bea table d’hote breakfast every morning from 9 to 10.30 and that tgnt wines snould be served on the side. He was cheered to the echo, It here vecame necessary to display my authority, Unless I was firm at the start and squeiched all insubordination, 1 knew that mutiny would result inside of thirty days. Quickly grasping an empty demijohn that happened to be rolling around, I aimed itat the head of Hamilton Sly and leveled him to the deck. J then turned tomy au- dience. I lectured once in East Boston and was prepared for everything. ‘ Men,” said I, sternly, “this is no Astoria, if ivisa trip to the Pole. You will have nothing but champagne and breakfasts @ /a carte,andold ToorerR Loup, Gcologist and Stoker. comicbooks.com