Life, 1905-11-02 · page 17 of 48
Life — November 2, 1905 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**"Why Not?" Section:** A satirical list proposing play titles mimicking popular shows (Happy Land, Babes in Toyland). The joke pairs real prominent figures with "-land" titles: Theodore Roosevelt's "Babyland," Anthony Comstock's "Bareland" (referencing his censorship campaigns), William Jennings Bryan's "Lungland," and the WCTU's "Dryland" (temperance reference). Each pairing mocks the figure's public association or known cause. **"Multum in Parvo" Section:** A sentimental poem about motherhood progressing through seasons—standard period sentiment. **"Dream Extravagance" Cartoon:** Two anthropomorphic insects discuss a family living "beyond their income." The punchline involves a bug ancestor arriving via New York's Croton water pipes—absurdist humor suggesting the family's poverty or humble origins, typical of Life's working-class mockery. The page reflects early 1900s satire targeting prominent public figures and social pretension.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
537 Why Not? | view of these titles to popular plays: Happy Land, Woodland, To-morrow Land, Babes in Toyland, pene Bull's Other Island, reland, why not the: Jagland, by Bishop Potter, Fatherland, by James Hazen Hyde, Clothesland, by John Drew, Vagueland, by Henry James, Rottenland, by the Roger Broth- e Bondland, by Pierpont Morgan, Babyland, by Theodore Roose- velt, Bareland, by Anthony Comstock, I-land, by Tom Lawson, Dreamland, by Mary Baker dy, Chappie Land, by Clyde Fitch, Badland, by Chauncey Depew, Lungland, by W. J. Bryan, Dryland, by the W. C. T. U. e? Modern. | AWOKE one morning, myself—infamous !"* ny Forking, Hydey and found Alexander, MeCalt. ¢ “THERE! WE'VE MISSED THE LAST CAR! I'M AFRAID WE'LL HAVE TO FLY HOME.” Multum in Parvo. November's chill and loss and dearth, can j A sun touch, sweet and human, JANUARY freeze and thaw, December's firelight, song and mirth, Frost, February clinging, The Mother love of all the earth ; A March that blusters, cold and raw, All these in one wee woman, ® Then mating robins singing. Emma P, Seabury. An April day, a smile, a tear, May’s blossom scented splendor, “The breath of June’s rose atmosphere, Dream Extravagance. July, soft, warm and tender. . . . ah, WHAT'S THAT! ONE OF YOUR The languid August's drowsy ight, Dp? T the Hightlyers live beyond ascestors pran? September's dreams and haze, their income? Mr, Bug: Y€S. THIS PAPER SAYS 1S October's golden crown of light, “Dear me—why, they live beyond — GREAT-GRANDFATHER CAME TO NEW YORK Where wood and vineyard blaze. the income they wish they had.” THROUGH THE CROTON PIPES. comicbooks.com