Life, 1900-09-20 · page 3 of 20
Life — September 20, 1900 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of "Life" Magazine Page 223 This page presents "The Quarrel," a satirical piece about the Rose and Laurel—classical symbols of beauty and honor respectively. The dialogue suggests a philosophical dispute where the Rose claims superiority based on aesthetic appeal ("I did not care if people thought outside her set"), while the Laurel asserts moral authority through association with heroic achievement. The accompanying Oliver Herford quote and large crowd scene appear to critique social hierarchy and class distinctions. The satire likely mocks Victorian-era debates about whether beauty or virtue should reign supreme, or possibly comments on tension between aristocratic pretension and democratic values. The detailed crowd illustration emphasizes how such quarrels affect society broadly, though the specific historical referent remains unclear without additional context.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Your reasoning’s false,” exclaimed the Rose. ‘Your premises are falser yet ; “ Your sentiment is all a pose. * Besides, you are not in my set!” UNMORAL. *Twixt Duty, here below, and Love, p Alas! we sce a great gulf fixed. Perchance they're introduced above. a In Heaven, society is mixed. FO Olver Herford, Jf The Quarrel. HE Laurel started the affair— He called the Rose a vain coquette. ‘The Rose replied, “She did not care “ Waat people thought outside her set!” j “ Faith ! you speak true!” the Laurel cried. “The Rose and Laurel only meet “When on the Hero's head we ride, “* And you are tossed beneath his feet.” ‘ The Rose retorted : ‘I recall “ More than one Hero-who threw down “ His laurel wreath, his honor, all “For one red rose from Beauty’s crown.” The Laurel frowned : ‘'’Tis as you say, "And yet it cannot be gainsayed “Their laurels are undimmed to-day ~ Save by the folly of that trade {"