Life, 1902-10-02 · page 13 of 22
Life — October 2, 1902 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical page contains multiple brief pieces mocking American social pretension and politics circa early 1900s. **"The Real Thing"** is a poem by James Clarence Harvey ridiculing social climbers. The "400 real iron pots" references the famous "Four Hundred"—New York's elite social circle. The poem warns that those of modest origins ("clay pots") who attempt to join high society will fail unless recognized by "the book that is blue" (likely the Social Register), and that the wealthy are "horribly battered, inside" despite their polished appearance. **"His Choice"** presents a joke about preferring solitude to wealthy company—mocking the assumed desirability of millionaire acquaintance. **"Insurrection"** critiques Senator Lodge for dismissing political dissent as dangerous sedition, arguing that honest disagreement needn't be labeled rebellion. The page illustration "Snapshots in Hades: Taming a Shrew" depicts devils managing a difficult woman—a crude, misogynistic visual gag. **"Job's Wife"** briefly notes the biblical Job's wife receives no recognition for her suffering, a minor commentary on female invisibility.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Real Thing. HERE are only 400 real iron pots That float in the stream of style, And some of these pots, They are pretty tough lots, Though they float with a satisfied smile. And woe to the pot that is made out of clay, Who dares to join in with the throng, Ifthe book that is blue Doesn't recognize you, You will float—I don't think—very long. WoOrsg In fact, I don’t think the old saints, if they could, Would care to mix up with those pots. Brass, China and Delf, On the old kitchen shelf, Have a happier time of it—lots, “IG Z 2 And the 400 pots, in the social swim, Many thanks to paint, powder and pride, look like a dream, As they float down the stream, But they're horribly battered, inside. James Clarence Harvey. His Choice. “ QAY, old man, can’t you take dinner with me to-night? I have a, couple of millionaires on hand,”” ‘* My dear boy, I would rather take a basket of food down to the Sab-Treasury and eat it alone.”” “ HOW much did your daughter's ~ wedding cost?’’ “Oh, about five thousand a year. Yh “ Wee 7 a ’ i i open SNAPSHOTS IN HADES. TAMING A SOREW. Insurrection, HE embers of insurrection still smoulder in Springtield, Groton and Boston.—Senator Lodge. It takes a partisan and a placeman to differentiate accurately between the embers of insurrection and the fires of patriotism. Ordinary private citizens who hastily respect an opinion adverse to the administration merely because it is honest and rooted in reason will be deeply mortified by Mr. Lodge's caustic animadversions, unless, as is to be feared, long perversity has made them insensible to the voice of just STICKING HIM POR THE DRINKS. reproof. Job's Wife. Te the patience of Job a whole book is devoted ; To that of his wife not an instance is noted. Though Heaven forbid that her griefs we should probe, To the rest of her troubles she also had Job! MAN with an unusually large mouth has the habit of opening it on some occasions very wide. His dentist the other day adminis- tered a mild rebuke : “Not so wide, please; I prefer to stand outside and work.” comicbooks.com