Life, 1900-08-02 · page 7 of 20
Life — August 2, 1900 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 87 The main illustration depicts a figure falling or tumbling through space with clouds above and rocks below—a classical "fall from grace" scenario. The caption reads: "Near-sighted Professor: Great heavens! I thought at first we'd lost one of our guides—but it's only Martha." This is a visual pun playing on the double meaning of "lost." The professor, being nearsighted, initially feared a human companion was missing during what appears to be a mountain expedition. Instead, he's relieved to discover it's merely "Martha"—likely a pack animal or servant. The joke satirizes absent-mindedness and class attitudes: the professor's relief that it's not a "guide" but someone/something of lesser importance. The page also contains book reviews and comic verse ("Rival Thrills," "Repartee").
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Near-sighted Professor: aneat ueavens! 1 THOUGHT AT FIRST WE'D LOST ONE OF OUR OUIDES—BUT IT's ONLY MARTHA. blooded heroine confide its em- barrassing details to a man who was almost a stranger. Kate Wetherell is the title of a sad, homely, little tragedy in the workaday world of a Massa- chusetts village. The author, Jennette Lee, shows skill and feeling in many deft touches, though occasionally becoming vague under the apparent im- pression that she is subtle. (The Century Company.) Balzac’s Jettera to Madame Hanska contain much that is beautiful, much that throws light upon an interesting side of his character, and much, very much, that while of no possible interest to the public, becomes. through constant repetition, un- speakably wearisome. Miss Wormeley’s translation is excel- lent. Her introduction and her footnotes show completé know]- edge of her subject and deep sympathy with it, and had she been free to edit as wellas trans- late, the book would undoubtedly have gained wonderfully in strength, interest and artistic unity. (Hardy Pratt ana Com- pany, Boston.) The strenuous is the popular 87 thing in literature as well as in politics. +-That is, authors and publishers seem to think so. The Sword of the King, by Ronald Macdonald, is a story of the fighting, adventurous sort. It is not from the hand of a master story-teller, but it will serve as a stop-gap for an idle afternoon. A book that will be helpful to Ameri- can women who know nothing about the proper preparations for a voyage and trip to Europe is European Travet Sor Women, by Mary Cadwalader Jones. ‘Even old travellers may find new hints here and there. (The Macmillan Company.) Deacon Bradbury. By Edwin Asa Dix. A pious man and zealous church member, Deacon Bradbury begins to doubt his belief in church and God when his son is brought home under the influence of liquor. How he then carved out for himself principles of . life and conduct, and acquired a belief ’ independently his own, is told with wearisome particulars, and his com- monplace, ungrammatical family and friends become tedious. (The Century Company.) Bequeathed, By Beatrice Whitby. This is the story of two friends who loved one woman. The characters are well drawn, there is good color, and the story holds in interest throughout. (Harper and Brothers.) Rival Thrills. HE SEAMAN: Have you ever been on a battleship when she clears for action? Tue Lanpsman : No. , “Well, it is the most thrilling and impressive moment you can conceive.”” “Oh, I don’t know. Have you ever seen a golf club champion get ready to drive?” T RAISED the cup To take’a sup, My love to pledge in sparkling wine. “There's many a slip ’Twixt the cup and the lip,” She said, as her face bent close to mine. I dropped the glass And kissed the lass, Which, more than wine, was to my taste. “There's many a lip "Twixt the cup and the slip,” I said, as my arm slipped round her waist. W. B.A. Repartee.