Life, 1904-01-21 · page 9 of 20
Life — January 21, 1904 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**"Linguistic Labyrinths"** is a poem by Anna Matherson satirizing the complications of modern international communication. It mocks how foreign languages and telegraph technology have created a "second Babel" (biblical reference to confusion of tongues). The poem specifically references learning opera in foreign languages and mentions "Madame Charlotte Wiebe" and the "Sister of Jose," suggesting difficulties with pronunciation and cultural exchange. **The dark illustration** shows figures gathered around what appears to be a globe or sphere, depicting the confusion described in the poem. **"Unnecessary"** is a short humorous dialogue where Briggs and Griggs discuss how the old custom of New Year's calls has died out, replaced by saloons on every corner—a joke about Prohibition-era America where bars were supposedly illegal yet omnipresent.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
65 Linguistic Labyrinths, UR grandmammas received great praise When French they spoke at all ; But if they lived in modern days, Oh, how their pride would fall ! For foreign telegraph and cable Have made our land a second Babel. We have to be on speaking terms With languages galore : For Russian ruses, German germs, A durbar or a war, Each calls for some pronunciation Thatstrikes us dumbwith consternation. And since new intercourse we seek ations near and far, s we must speak, ch at Bogota ; As Philippine mélées don’t vanish We need Malay, as well as Spanish. ame Charlotte Wiehe came, undertook with zest Her Franco-Scandinavian name, And then we hoped for rest ; But Conried brought a horde gigantic From every country transatlantic. And when we learned the opera list We had to face a play That gave our tongues a fearful twist— The Sister of José ; And ere that question we were right on, We stubbed our verbal toes on Crichton ! Anna Mathewson, A DARK QUESTION VSR A CULLUD WASHERLADY, AN’ YO" NEEDN’ THINK MAH PERT RP 1 AST YO) WHY A WHITE MAN SUD WEAR A CULLUD stint? Unnecessary RIGGS: I wonder why the old- First Shade: wren! WHat MAKES IT SO COLD To-baT? wuy, TUE Piny 18 ALMOST OUT! fashioned custom of making New Second Shade: THAT 18 BECAUSE THEY UAVE DECIDED TO USE FOR FUEL ONLY THOSE PUBLISHERS Year's calls has died ont. Wuo DIDN'T 11 ABOUT TIT SALE OF THIEL BOOKS. Gricas: Oh, well, now there's a KNOW THERE WERE ANY HERE.” “Tenn anen'r.”* saloon on every corner. comicbooks.com