Life, 1903-10-01 · page 32 of 36
Life — October 1, 1903 — page 32: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising and light satirical commentary** rather than political cartooning. The main elements include: **Advertisements** dominate: Witt's garbage cans, Penn Mutual Life Insurance, Corliss Coon Collars, and the Angelus player piano occupy substantial space with product illustrations. **Satirical content** includes brief pieces mocking contemporary American literature and society. A commentary by "Joseph Smith" criticizes modern American authors (James, Dooley, Roosevelt, Howells) as inferior to classics like Dickens and Hawthorne, suggesting American culture has become "provincial and shrunken in its heart and brain." **Light humor** pieces like "A Modern Heroine" parody the stock character of sentimental fiction—a vaguely alarmed heroine with tumbling hair and mysterious charm—and "Miss Simplicity" jokes about provincial attitudes. The page reflects early 20th-century Life magazine's mix of **product promotion and genteel social satire** targeting educated, middle-class readers concerned with propriety, literature, and consumer goods.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
*LIPE* pa ere ne ene or [ene aren cer, - PRET ar I Ve eter ieer Ashes or Garbage in open barrels or pails are unsafe and unsanitary. Pat them tnto er Witt’s Corrugated Can Fire-proof, Tight-ftting Hd prevents contents scat enough for a lifetime, Imitati: 1 is uine bas * Witts Can’? stamped Get Witt’s Corrugated Pail for carrying asties and garbage, Sold by all dealers. The Witt Cornice Co., Dept. Q, Cincinnati, 0. jshifted to the Stock Exchanges While You Are ‘Well | You can provide for your future— and your children—at little cost. When you get sick or an invalid, you can’tatany cost. ‘The How and the Why tells—send for it. Weinsure by mail. PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE CO, 921 Chestnut St., Philadelphia A Composite Of true fit—correct style—long wear is a Cor- liss Coon Collar, ‘These three essentials of satisfaction have been combined in our products by virtue of skill, patient endeavor and much experi- ence. The Minto is a correct shape for Fall, and a style you will appreciate. Fit for a king—a fit for everyone, Sold by leading dealers 2 for 250., or from us, by mail, if unable to procure them. Our book of styles will be sent anywhere on request CORLISS, COON & CO., DEPT. K. TROY, N.Y. and epithets; James is foggy in several lan- guages; Dooley is married; Roosevelt is strenuous in everything but literature; Howells has ceased to Howell; Lochinvar has gone West again; and I am not feeling very well myself. It looks as if the reading public would have to go back to such “Has Beens” as Tennyson, Thackeray, Dickens, Emerson, Cooper, Hawthorne and such. The republic is imperialistic and expansive in its hat and pocket; provincial and shrunken in its heart and brain; and ashamed of its youth and parentage. The idols of the Home of the Brave and the Land of the Free have been and the Water Cure Camps. It is as profitless to seek for a sane, ealthy, robust literature in such surround- ings as to look for motherhood and domes- ticity in a divorce court. Joseph Smith. A Modern Heroine. VIE Blessed Heroine leaned out From the Modern Fiction Heaven ; Her eyes were deeper than her mind, But her tailored skirt hung even. She had three chaperons about, And the men in her train were seven, Her robe was that strange sort of which ‘The authors always write; Of course ‘twas clinging drapery,— Also, of course, ‘twas white. And her hair, forever tumbling down, Like tawny gold was bright. Her eyes were everlastingly Filled with a vague alarm. Her shirt-waist sleeve was rolled aloft To show her lithe young arm. And known as indescribable Was her peculiar charm. “I go,” she said, “to seek the books Where modern women be Who talk each morn in epigram,— ch afternoon drink t Mart Julie, Elizabeth, And Mrs. and me.” She gazed and listened, and then said (Less bad of speech than wild), “How strong we heroines are stamped,— How beautifully styled.” And with a Henry Jamesy air, She largely, subtly smiled. Carolyn Wells, Miss Simplicity. FEF RANCES: Fidelia has such provincial ideas Francis: For instance ? “She thinks that book-store clerks ought to know something about books.” A Philanthropist. MBS. HASHE-HOWSE: Why do you put = butter in your coffee, Mr. Starborde? Srarsorpe: Because, madam, I believe it is the duty of the strong to help the weak. F YOU havea sensitive ear and ere dist by incorrect of expressionless piano- : wo wist you would do us a favor. Ask our Nearest agent to let you play a plano with our New ANGELUS, which has the New Phrasing Lever. You will be more than re- paid. Even though you never played a note of masio, vou will be enabled to reproduce per- fectly the delicate shading and expression—the last touches of musical grace of the greatest pianists The ANGELUS ORCHESTRAL has still another feature that will please you. Inside this instrument (Model _No 66) 1s a complete set of very sweet flute-toned PIPE REEDS ‘fully patented). This instrument is orchestral, because you can have any of the following effects : First—The ANGELUS playing the plano alone. Seeqnd—The ANGELUS playing the Pipe Reeds fone. Third—The ANGELUS playing ?oth the Piano and Tipe Reeds in combination, producing indeserib able beauties of melody and harmonies that will cause youto marvel. Very easy of operation. The ANGELUS is tho pioneer of all PIANO PLAYERS. Purchased by Koyalty and the world's greatest musicians. Handsome booklet free upon requ Agents every where. May be heard at any of the following places. New Orleans: Junius Hart Pano New York : John Wanamaker, Omaba : A. Haspe & Co. Philadelptila : John Wanamaker, Pittsburg : 8. Hamitto San, Francisco : Sherman Clay & Springfield, Mase, : M. P. Conway, St Mala St. Syracuse :8. Rosenbloom & Sena, ‘goles : The Bartlett Music Washington; Jucig & And other localagenciesthrough- ‘out tue country. Raltimore: Juels & Boston : C. Chicago : Geo. P. Der Cincinnati : The W. ‘mansee Plano Co, Cleveta Kanes City : Carl Hottman Mus ‘shepard Co.ag? Chape! 3° Hlcrbert arahall Regent Rouse, Regent St, London, THE WILCOX @ WHITE Co. Sole Makers, MERIDEN, CONN., U.S.A. ESTABLISHED 1876. Harderfold Hygienic Underwear TSTER-AIR-SPACE STSTEM Is two-fold throughout, attording “protection Against the Ficimdtudes ot ‘Our variable climate to Invalides Athletes Professional ‘Men erchants Accountants Andall occupations in lf, incorerout bt Pave tntted in testifying to the sanitary excellence of the HanpEnrowpeystem of underelothing. MARDERFOLD FaRRIC CO., 165 River Street, Trey, Ne Ye Send for Illustrated comicbooks.com