Life, 1899-09-07 · page 13 of 20
Life — September 7, 1899 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is an alphabetical satirical primer using classical and historical figures. "U" references the operatic character Undine and Italian King Umberto I (likely alluding to romantic or scandalous rumors). "V" depicts Queen Victoria in her widow's veil, a familiar image from her decades of mourning. "W" targets composer Richard Wagner, suggesting his plots were morally questionable ("prurient"), offending Wesley and Watts (likely religious figures), though George Washington supposedly enjoyed them anyway—a jab at American tolerance for European excess. "X" shows Xantippe, Socrates' legendary shrewish wife, humorously reimagined as so formidable she frightens away King Xerxes' Persian army. The satire mocks both historical pretension and gendered stereotypes about domineering women.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
: LEPE* LIFE’S BIOGRAFHICAL PRIMER, IS for Undine, pursuing Ulysses 1S Victoria, most Glorious Queen, And Umberto, who flee her damp, death-dealing For further particulars, page 17, kisses. W's for Wagner, who sang and played lots . For Washington, Wesley, and good Doctor Watts. IS Xantippe, who's having her say, His prurient plots pained Wesley and Watts, And frightening the army of Xerxes away. But Washington said he “ enjoyed them in spots,”