Life, 1904-05-05 · page 11 of 40
Life — May 5, 1904 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main illustration depicts a figure holding a powerful searchlight beam, titled "A NEW LIGHT ON AN OLD SUBJECT." This appears to be political commentary using light/illumination as a metaphor for exposing truth or revealing hidden aspects of a topic. The text sections below include satirical commentary on American customs and manners, with sections titled "Manners and Customs" and "Poor Prospect." References include advice about visiting the U.S.A., Somaliland, and commentary on American behavior and character. A dialogue between characters named Clara and Maud discusses broken engagements, with closing observations that "TO-DAY'S choices are to-morrow's habits" and that "THE American is never more energetic than when he tries to be idle." The satirical tone mocks American social conventions and tourist behavior, typical of *Life* magazine's approach to social commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Manners and Customs. F you should go to Gumbo Gow I And explorations make, The natives there would welcome you And cut you up as steak You shouldn't swear of make a fuss At such a demonstration It’s simply one of the cus-, cus-, cus-, The Customs of the Nation If you into Somaliland Should happen for to stray, The folk would tie you foot and hand And take your clothes away. ‘Twere vain to hick if treated thus For savage recreat “Tis simply one of the cus-, cus-, cus, ‘The Customs of the Nation. A NEW LIGHT ON AN OLD SUBJECT. If you should visit U 5 They'll meet you at the port, And take your bags and trunks away And loot them, just for sport But do not grow censorious At such precipitation— It’s simply one of the c The Cus cuss, Cus, s of our Nation, Walt C RA; What did you break off your engagement with Charlie for? Mavup: I felt as if I ought to be getting married. O-DAY'S choi habits, next week's cha re to-morrow’'s acter, Poor Prospect. HE X-ray operator make: tocall his assistant into a room d excuse nt upon whom the y,"" observes the chief, ** you'll do for this business."’ 2 see that that p: only has two dollars hc in his clothes, whe: twenty ? ular fee is HE American is never more ener- getic th idle. he tries to be comicbooks.com