Life, 1903-10-01 · page 12 of 36
Life — October 1, 1903 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a **society column** rather than political satire. The top image shows an elegant formal gathering, illustrating "The Four Seasons" with accompanying poetry about winter and romance. The main content is a **society wedding announcement** for the marriage of Flossie Rayment (daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Reggie Stile) to Royal Rayment. The text humorously catalogs expensive wedding gifts from prominent families—solid gold busts, diamond-adorned rubber boots, and gold scissors set with pearls and rubies. The satire targets **wealthy society's excess and conspicuous consumption**: the absurdity of the gift choices (rubber boots with diamonds) mocks both the gift-givers' pretension and the institution's superficiality. This reflects Life magazine's regular critique of the American upper class's ostentatious displays.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Copyright, 1903, by Life Pubisabang Co. TV INTER. and tho wizard weather Laid upon the world a spell, first together; It is welt When Time brought us And Love whispered. Princess you, an Met you smili portion since T a you there A LL the best people were at the “wedding, last Tuesday, of Mr. Reggie Stile to Miss Flossie Rayment. ‘Tho bride, as everybody know youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. The Four Seasons. THE MEETING. Winter, and the white snow sifted From the sombre skies above, Yet, with flaming torch uplifted, Came to us the god of Love; Of the storm and bluster heedless Cupid traveled, fond and fain, And be found us, it Is needless To explain. Winter, and the world about us Was a miracle in white, But {t got along without us For an hour or so that night. I forgot the bitter season In the sweetness, fresh and new; Sweetheart, would you know the reason ? It was you! Feliz Carmen. Rayment. The Rayments have always been fashionable. The wedding gifts were superb. Mr. and Mrs. Merger Hogg gave a life-size bust of Midas in solid gold; Mr. and Mrs. John Bullion gave a miniature ash barrel filled with real emeralds ; Mr. and Mrs, Billy Machinprint gave a pair of rubber boots, with a mono- gram in diamonds on each leg. One of the handsomest gifts was a pair of solid gold scissors, set with large pearls and rubies. The scissors are for cutting from “ society’ col- umns paragraphs relating to one’s self. The bride's uncle, H. Van Damm Expense, sent a cheque for four mil- lion dollars. The society reporters were allowed to kiss this cheque after the reception. Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Overload are visiting the Bonds at Trust Hollow. Mrs. Jimmy Overload, as everybody knows—that is, of course, everybody who is anybody—was one of the Bos- ton Poorleigh Breds. comicbooks.com