Life, 1906-10-11 · page 5 of 24
Life — October 11, 1906 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features "Holes in the Wall," a satirical poem about an old dictionary. The verse mocks outdated linguistic conventions—specifically, the dictionary's refusal to update spelling or usage to match modern practice. References to "orthographic sharp" and debates over how words "should" be spelled suggest criticism of prescriptive grammar rules that had become obsolete. The accompanying illustration shows well-dressed figures in an interior setting, apparently depicting a social scene related to the poem's theme of generational conflict over tradition versus progress. The bottom section marks October's zodiac sign (Scorpio) with decorative scorpion illustrations. This appears to be a general cultural/social satire rather than political commentary, mocking resistance to linguistic modernization and the stubborn adherence to outdated standards.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
altar. OWS t you rotect e man on, — 1"? life y Tied urance AL The Old Dictionary (With apologies to N. P. Willis) ORMER, spare that book! Touch not a single wor neolsits, spellings: look Queer, not to say absurd; Riot they've been good enougll For generations past; Your movement is a bluff, A fad that will not last! That old familiar tome Whose glory and renown MOLES IN THE WALL \re known in every home— Pray, would you turn it down? At what our fathers planned When but an idle boy, Its pages I would turn, Musing with reverent joy rn,” “fern,” “adjourn.” Why aren't they spelled the same? OCTOBER SCORPIO in that, quite; The old book's not to blame— T know it must be right! The dignity of age Has hallowed it so long, lis most prosaic page Reads like a grand, sweet song; So let the old book be, Or you shall rue, I vow! In youth it bothered me, But T'll protect it now! comicbooks.com