Life, 1899-12-07 · page 3 of 20
Life — December 7, 1899 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 487 **"Signs of the Zodiac: Capricornus — December"** The main illustration depicts an astrological fantasy scene with a goat-headed creature (Capricornus) surrounded by cherubs, celestial bodies, and 1900 marked on a horn. This appears to be a satirical millennial commentary on the approaching year 1900, playing with zodiac superstitions and fin-de-siècle anxieties about the new century. The accompanying text sections include humorous commentary on magazine editors and authors, and a piece titled "Estimated" about Philippine Christianization—suggesting American colonial attitudes toward the Philippines (then a recent U.S. acquisition after the Spanish-American War). The page primarily satirizes contemporary American social pretensions, editorial practices, and imperial attitudes through witty commentary rather than sharp political critique.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Mind vs. Matter. OME, Sarah and Matilda And Margaret and Dora; Come, Daisy, Chloe aud Hilda And Maud and Jane and Cora, Come, Mary and Myrtilla And Katherine and Fanny, And Sidie and Priscilla And Eleanor and Annio, Come, Lizzie, Flo and Nancy! My manly heart a-swelling; For in my ardent fancy T'd have you all a-dwelling. How useless base reality, With one girl in tho traces, When, spurning gross legality, My mind all these embraces, The Modern Magazine. HE magazine editor calls his assist- ant to the awe-inspiring precincts of the sanctum, “« Have you,” he asked, ‘accepted that poem on ‘ The Power of Love,’ by John L. Fitz-Jeffries?" “It is done,” replics the assistant. ‘Well! Here is an urticle on * Higher Culture,’ by Richard Broker; an essay on ‘Business Life,’ by Prof. Greekroot ; another on ‘American Politics,’ by the Rev. Darkhearsc, and yet another on the *EMicacy of Prayer,’ by Senator Banna. See that they are paid for at once, But who is the man that waits in the ante- room?" “*He says that he js a great author.” “An author! Show him the door, I have no time for authors.” Estimated. PROMINENT citi- zen, upon being asked how long he thought SIGNS OF THE ZODIAC. CAPRICORNUS — DECEMBER. it would be before the Philippines were thor- oughly Christianized, re- plied: “Oh, in about ten years, By that time every Philippine husband ought to be staying home from church Sunday mom- ing, reading the Sunday papers.” A Motto for the Partisans of a Certain Rear-Admiral. «¢ A SCHLEY well stuck to is as good asa Dewey.” PFRHAPS the worst sort of hypocrisy is the trying to make yourself be- lieve that you don’t think you are better than you know you are, !