Life, 1899-08-17 · page 5 of 20
Life — August 17, 1899 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This page combines satirical content with advertising. The upper section features "A Disciplinarian," a poem by Theodesia Pickering Garrison about a woman who tried to control her heart through willpower, only to have love triumph anyway—a commentary on the futility of emotional restraint. Below are hand-gesture illustrations labeled with emotions: "Love," "Self-Satisfaction," "Self-Consciousness," "Contentional" [sic], "Defiance," "Force," and "Impudence." These appear to be a humorous guide to reading hand language, suggesting body language reveals true feelings despite attempts at composure. The large illustration depicts an elaborate social scene, likely satirizing aristocratic pretension or romantic intrigue, though specific figures are unclear. The bottom advertises "Real Old Duchesse Laces" under "Two Victims"—an ad suggesting expensive laces ensnare wealthy buyers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A Disciplinarian. HE tried to discipline her heart And make it servant to her will; With intuition and with art Sho tried to discipline her heart. Yet, though she made it writhe and smart, The wayward thing is master still. “ Poor, little maid,” laughed Love apart, Sho tried to discipline ber heart!” Theodosia Pickering Garrison, AS TOLD BY THE HAND. SELF-SATISF ACTION, ILLUSTRATED ADVERTISEMENT. REAL OLD bUCH ACES. CONTENTIONAL. Two Victims. AYBE Admi- ral De is envying Dreyfusthe , Manner of his return to his native coun- try, The French. man will have the strong walls and bars of a fortress be- tween him and the handshakers.