Life, 1903-10-08 · page 7 of 20
Life — October 8, 1903 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The page contains several satirical pieces. The main cartoon shows two men in what appears to be a room or office—one standing, one seated. The caption reads: "UNCLE, HERE'S THACKERY SAYS THAT A WOMAN CAN MARRY ANY MAN SHE WANTS TO." / "AND YET PEOPLE SAY HE ISN'T A PESSIMIST." This jokes about the writer Thackeray's cynical view of marriage—the implication being that if women can marry anyone they choose, yet people still marry, then Thackeray's pessimism about human nature (particularly male appeal or worth) is confirmed. The page also includes brief satirical pieces on "Business Sense" about railroads, "Missionaries," and other social commentary typical of Life magazine's humorous approach to contemporary society and literature.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“AND YET PEOPLE SAY UE ISN'T A PEssiMist.” ‘LIFE: 343 Missionaries. ISSIONARIES are manufactured for the purpose of spreading rum and religion to the remotest lands. Where they have a double purpose like this, one is almost sure to succeed. As between rum and religion, there is usually no choice, Converts are counted by millions. It is estimated that in the Philippines alone rum has converted over a hundred thousand souls, hitherto thirsting in vain. Accompanied by a crate of Bibles and a cargo of rum, every mis- sionary is invincible. All he needs is an army to back him up. Missionaries are not always successful. Some die poor. They start out with a point of view and a popular brand, and Provi- dence does the rest. What is needed, with every missionary who tries to convert the heathen, is a temperance lecturer to go with him. He would help them drink the rum, thus promoting the spirit of the brotherhood of man. The Stroll. DOWN the road there slowly strolled +A. A stripling and a lass— And who them indiscreet might hold That saw them thuswise pass? J But as they onward gently drew And neared a glade, I wis The distance now betwixt the two Waned somewhat like to this: Eftsoon, half hid from prying stares, As with the shade they merged (Perhaps it was from fear of bears!) Still more the pair converged: 1 Until, as squirrels will endorse, By deeper gloam beset They farther wabbled in their course; And presently they met: H And here, through heart magnani- mous, Tilend this little tale With John and Mary strolling thus Amidst the thick- grown vale: Edwin L. Sabin, A Natural Desire. M-TH: I wonder what Br-wn intends to do with all the money he got for those historical novels ff Hi a | | lf he wrote. J-y-s: He intends to travel. He feels Business Sense. “THE P. X. & Y. is the most ente: prising railroad in the country. Jumpurre: Why? “They now run excursions and ob- servation trains to the scenes of all their important wrecks.” is FE E considers himself different from others.”” ‘* Well, he needn’t boast of it; the dime museums are full of things like that.” NVITATION is the sincerest flat- tery. that he ought to visit some of the places he wrote about; just to see what they are like. al HY does he so dislike minis- ters?” “He can’t forget that one of them performed his inarriage ceremony.”’ comicbooks.com