Life, 1901-12-05 · page 3 of 20
Life — December 5, 1901 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 489 The top cartoon, titled "Equity," depicts an art dealer showing a purchased painting to a client. The humor plays on the phrase "how about this pastel—will it last?" with the dealer's response about the painting outlasting the client's marriage—a cynical jab at marital instability. The "Ballade of Casual Kisses" poem satirizes the transactional nature of romantic gestures, mocking insincere affection given without genuine feeling or cost. The bottom illustration, captioned about Willie Bat and flying machines, appears to be a humorous speculative cartoon about early aviation technology, though the specific reference remains unclear without additional context about contemporary aviation developments or a figure named Willie Bat.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
‘ing, cele- | be mas. e of nore llus- lany rical IFES peri: sent d by This nade nter- The Unete (who has just tought a picture) Now, miLiy, Now Ano? “WELL, UNCLE TOM, IT WILL LAST 10: Ballade of Casual Kisses. } OT carefully are these bestowed-- These be the little coins we throw As largess to a beggar’s woe Or drop unheeded on the road. ‘These may not pay for pleasures owed ; We scorn to hold them miserwise ; Too small to spend by law or code— The kisses that we do not prize. These be the food of love, no doubt, Yet not for palates overnice ; Poor food, devoid of salt or spice, An epicure would do without. Food guaranteed to give no gout ; A Barmecidal feast that lies Spread for the many thronged about— The kisses that we do not prize. On infant, relative and friend, E'en on the sycophantic foe ; On those we think we know we know, When friendships start, when friendships end, equity, These be the empty ones we send In envelopes to please—the eyes ; Yea, blissful as a kiss that’s penned— The kisses that we do not prize NVOL. True Lovers, make ye no ado; With gold thrice tried we pay your sighs. God wot they're not for such as you— The kisses that we do not prize. Theodosia Garrison, (['8Egencral worthless- ness of advice is ex- hibited in the fact that the average man would rather give it than take it. THIS PASTEL—WILL IT Last? Re TUAN THE CHECK YoU Gave ME Pon IT!" WHAT WILLIE BAT 18 APRAID WILL HAPPEN IF THe PLYING MACHINE BECOMES A SUCCESS. comicbooks.com