Life — April 11, 1901 — page 8: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

* LIFE » Vv A HALL OF FAME might be crowded with > YW of genuine poets, and yet, without the pres- Kf ence of a poet laureate, not be considered com- * plete in its constituency. There is only one poet laureate, and surely to secure the only one there is may be considered a feat worthy of any live Hall of Fame. Yet we claim no persuasive or insistent methods in our admittance of members. No force is used, because it is unnecessary, The honest glow of pride suffuses the face of each candidate as he is given his diplom nd joins the And so, when the gentleman whom we have garlanded this week approached us, while we were glad to have him, no undue exultation ed, His recommendations were duly filed, his past life squinted at, and his ey tion (which follows) was made as easy for him as possi Exuiprt M, ALFRED AvsTIN. “ Your name is- ? “ Austin,” * And you are at present a member of. aa “ The British Empire.” “What is your business, Mr, Austin?" “Tam a poct laureate. That i: cautious poems in praise of everything that is done by the Government.”” “The forts?” “Oh, certain although one little thing I dashed off, to Mafeking,’ humorous. sare, of course, serious ef- was said “Mr. Austin, you seem like a nic pleasant, ingenuous gentleman, Yet it must be admitted that you have had a great deal of fun poked at you.” “But Tam under adisadvantage. I have Tennyson back of me and Kip- ling too near.”” True. that.”” “ Alas! Stil, you may outgrow Tam not immortal.’ “Never mind, Alfred, amusin; That is a gift in itself. Come in and enjoy yourself.” Her Conscience. <ePHE rector is talking of joining our club. the exercise will do him good.” “Oh, we don’t want a parson on the links ! "7 “That's just what I told him.’* “*Oh, my dear, you didn’t!” “Indeed I did. I think one ought to speak the trath even toa clergyman.” He thinks pe LIFE: L have before me your March 14th edition, in which I have read your digest, headed “ Revile Your Enemy." T must say ft 1s with reluctance that 1 am forced to admit that this extract was ever allowed publication in your bright and valued paper. of your accepting remarks as truths from such desperate and {responsible persons as Steyn apd De Wet, who have proved their true characters by thelr recent murderous and tnbuman acts, recorded by American as well as Iritish correspondents, seems besond genuine im- partial judgment, but tainted with very pronounced prejudice. Canadian Constant Reader, We understand from our correspondent that Steyn and De Wet are given to “ murderous and inhuman acts,’’ but that these terms, when applied to the British, become “tainted with very pronounced prejudice.” Our correspondent merely emphasizes a condition of mind against which all history and all human argument are powerless. Why He Broke Loose. M RS. VON BLUMER: I thonght you said that Mrs. “ Peterby had such thorough control over her husband that she made him go tochurch every Sunday. He wasn’t there last Sunday. Vox Brus No. golf. He found it was affecting his SOLDIERS THREE; OR, WHY Do THE HEATHEN nace? comicbooks.com