Life, 1905-08-17 · page 15 of 26
Life — August 17, 1905 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical cartoon mocks wealthy and famous figures' desire for privacy and escape from public scrutiny. The central image depicts a cart overflowing with donations—books, statues, and goods bearing the names of prominent donors—being pushed toward a proposed exclusive retreat. The accompanying article presents fake letters from celebrities like Hall Caine, Rockefeller, Admiral Togo, and Emperor William, all claiming they desperately need refuge from public life and criticism. Andrew Carnegie supposedly agrees to fund the project but insists his name appear on everything ("My name on all the bricks"). The satire targets wealthy industrialists' hypocrisy: they simultaneously crave publicity and anonymity, want self-defense from criticism while remaining "in the public eye," and can't resist attaching their names to philanthropic ventures. The joke culminates with donations beginning to pour in immediately—proving these "prominent" figures cannot resist public recognition even while claiming to seek seclusion.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
> Ma Tuomas Ww. LAwSon q BY ¥ HIMSELF, “eal OPCs OMY _ ESE | RuBY ‘Licht Ss Masi : | M25 Mary Brag Coo ) TRANSLATED | * Donations began to pour tn." oo wt Y oa Soo WN = [conmare toile oF WASEL ALS UNABRIDGED By racn rotvonny comstoxe te Life’s Retreat for the Prominent. ROMINENT people everywhere are welcomii idea of a quiet secluded spot where they can gather and be se d applications for mem- bership are coming in from all over the world. Hall Caine cabled: “ Dead tired of myself. Put me -of-town membership.” Mr. Rockefeller wrote: “If this is a place where I can free from hair restorer men, you can count me in” From Admiral Togo : “I'll go in at once if you'll guar- antee that no dogs, cigars or other necessities that have n named after me shall be admitted to the premises. From Emperor William: You have a grand idea Please let me have a room where I can be alone and wor- are from publicit down for ship myself.” These are only a few of the messages received. While the idea of the Retreat originated with Lire, the kindn and generosity of Mr. Andrew Carnegie alone have it possible “ Splendid ! "he exclaimed immediately.‘ Couldn't be better. A nice, quiet substantial home where all us fellows that are in the public eye, and are being knocked all the time, can get together and be by ourselves. Sort of a combine of the criticised. Well, the time has been rapidly approaching when some sort of a thing like that is a necessity, if only in self-defense. We boys must pull “ Will you put up the building ? "he was asked * Sure," he replied. ** Usual terms, of course. My name meal ‘ablet in on all the bricks. Scotch bagpipes during ev d the boys that I am the whole thing. front with my name in letters at least sixteen inches high Here's a kiltful of steel bonds Take 'em, my boy Don't be bashful. Posterity and I are side partners I'll be remembered as a glad giver when the tariff laws have been forgotten.” Of course the whereabouts of the building isa secret no newspaper reporters being admitted, and the utmost caution being used to avoid any sort of publicity. As soon, however, as the news of the enterprise spread abroad among the elect, donations began to pour in. President Roosevelt sent two stuffed bears for the front lobby comicbooks.com