Life, 1905-10-05 · page 15 of 44
Life — October 5, 1905 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct pieces of satirical content: **"Burnt Offerings"** is a poem by Theodosia Garrison personifying the god of Love complaining that mortals offer inadequate sacrifices. The accompanying illustration shows two women flanking winged cherubs, with Love demanding genuine passion ("burning and burnt with fire") rather than empty, cold gestures. The satire mocks superficial romantic gestures—people giving "tame" gifts without genuine emotion or commitment. **"Thirst in New Jersey"** is a humorous commentary on New Jersey legislation prohibiting water export from the state. The author satirizes this law as absurd, sarcastically questioning whether New Jersey residents truly need all their water after "an evening with Jersey lightning" (thunderstorms), or whether the Governor fears some catastrophic scenario. The piece ridicules the protectionist measure as overreaction, implying the bill is either unnecessary or based on irrational fears. Both pieces use wit to critique human behavior—one emotional superficiality, the other governmental overreach.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
393 Burnt Offerings. UOTH the little god Love (who is greater far Than the wrathful and high gods be), “These hearts that ye bring for an offering They ai They are young or old, they are whole and cold, e never the gifts for me ; Yet seldom to my desire. Let the gifts ye give that my fame may live Be burning and burnt with fire,” Quoth the little god Love. Re mocked with a trifling thi Shall I take the sign for the right divine— Is tinsel the gift of a king ? Ye profane my name when ye give these tame, Poor gauds without pulse or start, Let the white smoke rise from Shall my altar-stone > ‘our sacrifice Of the beating, burning heart,” Lord Love, thou hast fallen on evil days. Men trade in a sordid mart, { Vet thy faithful still at The flame of the burnt altars spill Theodosia Garrison, \ Thirst in New Jersey. as not hitherto en- N cold water St as the home of ich of a reputation as a f y | ‘brated , Drastic ( measures to change all this may be in contemplation, as the Governor has signed a bill prohibiting the export of / drinking water from the . Do the inhabitants need it al! next morning, after an evening with Jersey VY, yp lightning, or has the Governor the /- VA terror of Kentucky before his eyes, { where water is supposed to be adapted for washing purposes only? pie but is more stone fence comicbooks.com