Life, 1905-04-06 · page 41 of 62
Life — April 6, 1905 — page 41: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three separate satirical pieces: **"Thoughts for an Easter Morning"** (poem by Wallace Irwin): A sharp critique of Easter fashion excess, particularly women's expensive bonnets. The speaker—apparently a husband or father—complains that Easter's religious significance is overshadowed by commercialism. Women parade in elaborate hats designed by milliners (hat-makers) who deliberately exploit male wallets. The satire targets the shallow materialism of spring fashion and the financial burden it places on men. **"He Knew"**: A humorous anecdote about a Boston schoolboy who, when shown a volcano drawing and asked what it resembles, replies "H—I, ma'am" (Hell). The joke trades on the child's literal interpretation and resulting impropriety. **"Hopeless"** and the illustration: A brief joke about failed credit, paired with James Montgomery Flagg's drawing showing a couple embracing with text about proper engagement etiquette—a light commentary on courtship propriety. The page reflects early 1900s concerns: consumerism, gender relations, and social conventions around courtship and spending.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
os GS Lo | PRESS) acs Thougbts for an Easter Morning. serene hour of the modiste and milliner, cial ruin and Paris creation, When th ave Tempter of Women is fillin’ ‘er Head with the seed of demoralization ! Spring, you declare, brings the lilies and roses— Don’t rub it in, frend ; I know about that. Zam the bankrupt who paid for the posies Spring has arrayed on her Ladyship’s hat. Easter and bonnets! the subject is stale enough, Annual rhapsodies flying through distance ; Yet use for thet aster and bonnets are still Shop windows quiver with feminine chatter, Sidewalks are blocked where the darlings converse When the ench milliner, mad as a hatter, Flaunts her “ designs '"—with designs on my purse. since we know well enough n existence. Ding-dong the bell, and we're going to services, World and his Wife and the Dev—I beg pardon! Adam, in broadcloth, a trifling bit nervous is; . on her tresses, is wearing the Garden ! en and bright, near the a new milliner’s sign intly procession, can she see? the confession ? Wallace Irwin. He Knew. TEACHER ina Boston public school was seeking to give her boys a detinite idea of what a volcano was , fore she drew a picture of one on the blackboard Taking some red chalk she drew fiery flames pouring from n the drawing was she turned to the class before her and said an any of you tell me what that looks like?” One boy immediately held up his hand, and the teacher asked, “Well, Joe “It looks like H—I, ma'am, promptness the summit of the volcano, and wh done. you may tell u replied Joey, with startling Hopeless. “ Wet caused Bander’s failure ?"’ “* His credit was too good."" “NO, JULIA, IT ISN'T PROPER TO KISS A MAN UNTIL YOU ARE ENGAGED TO HIM.”” comicbooks.com