Life, 1901-09-26 · page 3 of 20
Life — September 26, 1901 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Sanctum Talks" - Life Magazine Satire This is a "Sanctum Talks" dialogue piece where King Edward (likely Edward VII, who reigned 1901-1910) converses with "Life," personified as a somewhat dissolute figure in ornate robes. The satire mocks Edward's self-justification for his indulgent lifestyle. Edward claims he's "always properly gilded" and shouldn't be blamed for enjoying luxuries—he's merely a "figurehead" with ceremonial duties. Life counters that being a figurehead requires maintaining dignity and setting proper examples, arguing "it takes an Englishman to appreciate a figurehead." The joke satirizes Edward's reputation for extravagant living and womanizing, suggesting his role demands better conduct than his actual behavior demonstrates. The ornate, somewhat shabby costume emphasizes the critique of hollow royal pretense.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Sanctum Talks. “K ING EDWARD, how are you?” “Tam well, Lire—as well as T ever was.”’ “ Are you contented with your lot?” “Why, yes. Why shouldn't I be? My debts worry me no longer.” “Did they ever?” “Ha! Well, perhaps they didn't. Still, it is always a satisfaction, don't you know, to feel that you are on a sound basis. Then I don't have the cares of other monarchs.” ‘* No, I suppose not.” “I'm more of a figurehead. There are advantages in being a figurehead. I'm always properly gilded.” “But is that necessar; “Tt is—in a figurehead. A figure- head worn in spots is a sorry spectacle. Now, if I went around with the cares of my people on my shoulders, I couldn't take so much time gilding myself; and I wouldn't be so much venerated.” “My! Are you venerated?” ‘‘None more so. That's another beauty about beinga figurehead. Now the Czar, or Abdal, or Cousin Willie— well, they’re abused. Any one of them might get blown up any moment.” “Bat no one blames you for any- thing.” “Certainly not. Why should they? I'm just a plain, ordinary King, a high functionary, a sort of necessary adjunct to all ceremonies, with the constant occupation of being looked up to."’ “And they do look up to you, don’t they?” “Indeed they do. I never do any- thing, you see, Never put my foot in it. I'm an illusion, That’s what tells.”" “But it wouldn't do with every- one.”" “Oh, maybe not, Lire. But then, you know, it takes an Englishman to appreciate a figurehead.” “So it does, so it does.”