Life, 1906-12-06 · page 29 of 64
Life — December 6, 1906 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains **two distinct satirical pieces** about early 20th-century social concerns: **"The Querist"** (left) humorously questions what constitutes "ladylike" behavior through a long list of increasingly absurd activities—from giggling and winking to burglary and smoking. It's satire on rigid gender expectations for women, suggesting the standards are so contradictory they're ridiculous. **"A Case for the S.P.C. Man"** (center/right) is a darker allegorical cartoon where animals conduct a vivisection on a human child. The animals represent specific breeds (Cocker Spaniel rescuing the child, Boston Bull, etc.). This satirizes vivisection—animal testing on humans for scientific advancement—a genuine ethical controversy of the era. The S.P.C. (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty) Man is invoked as moral authority. The story critiques how authority figures (the doctor) can manipulate people into accepting cruelty through credentials and appeals to "science." Both pieces target hypocrisy: gendered double standards in one, and the abuse of scientific authority in the other.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LAOS LUPE Pacers 2. vlike to giggle? Is it ladylike to wink? Is it ladylike to ride a horse astraddle? Is it ladylike to wiggle ? Isit ke to drink? Is it ladylike upon the beach to paddle? Is it ladylike to mutter? Is it ladylike to stare? Is it ladylike to do those fancy dances? Is it ladylike to sputter? Is it ladylike to swear? Is it ladylike to use expressive glances? Is it ladylike to gurgle? Is it ladylike to joke? Is it ladylike to boast of being wealthy? Is it ladylike to burgle? Is it ladylike to smoke? Is it ladylike to know that you are healthy? Is it ladylike to shiver? Is it ladylike to weep? Is it ladylike to walk through forests shady ? Is it ladylike to quiver? Is it ladylike to peep? Is it ladylike to like to be a lady? W. D. Nesbit. Habitat “DAPA, what place do the most ex- pensive furs come from?” “Wall Street, my boy.”” “TMAT'S CoS YOU ARE arRatD.” A Case for the S. P. C. Man “THE next case,” said Doctor Setter, “is one of great interest. It is that of a human child. Many animals,” he continued, “have criticised our faculty for making experiments on human beings, not appreciating the fact that this is all done in the interest of science. Dr. Pointer will now bring on the Victim.” A small boy, strapped to a board, was handed in. Being gagged, he made no noise. There was a general growl of approval. “Young Mr. Daschund,” said Doctor Setter, ‘‘will assist.” The boy writhed slightly. Mr. St. Ber- nard, who had spent the previous winter in the Alps, where he had acquired a fatal habit of rescuing folks, here interposed: “Ain’t you going to give him ether?” he asked. “Hardly!” said Doctor Setter. “Ether would nullify just the effects that we are anxious to observe. Mr. Airedale, fetch me a stethoscope, a steel plunger and a set of forceps. And now, gentlemen, I must request you not to bark during the operation. Observe,” he continued, as he inserted the point of his knife into the child’s stomach, “that the subject is ex- tremely sensitive to pain. This promises to be a very interesting case.” At this moment Mr. Cocker Spaniel bustled in. “Hold up!” he exclaimed. “No more of this. This, gentlemen, is my pet child. Why, I brought him up from a pup. I can’t allow this.” “Have you no regard for science?” inquired Mr. Boston Bull, showing his teeth. “No, sir. I’m a lover of man.” “But, my dear sir, it is necessary for the preservation of our race that we per- form this experiment.” “But I consider that it is better for the race to perish than that they should gradually acquire such a taste for blood as to forget their humanitarian instincts.” So saying, Mr. Cocker Spaniel ad- vanced to the operating table, and in an instant had severed the thongs that bound his pet. No one protested. Many hung their tails in shame. On the threshold, Mr. Cocker Spaniel turned: “Gentlemen,” he said, “I’m glad that there is some sense of doghood left in you. I'm glad you’ve come to your instincts. But before I go, I would like to ask one question. Why were you so willing to let FAILING EYESIGHT “STAND OVER IN THE LIGHT A MINUTE, OLD NLL READ YOU THIS LETTER FROM this thing go on, knowing it was only a case of brutal cruelty? Why didn’t you all jump at Doctor Setter’s throat and stop him of your own accord?” Mr. Fox Terrier stepped forward. A tear was in his eye. “Want to know asked. Ves." “Well, the only thing I can think of is that just because he was a doctor, with a diploma, he must have hypnotized us.” the reason?” he The Foreign Invasion An“ All-American” Menu Scotch Barley Broth Canadian Trout Jerusalem Artichokes Hamburg Steak French Fried Potatoes Bermuda Onions Lima Beans English Muffins Vienna Rolls India Relish Spanish Olives Chili Sauce Japanese Fritters Roman Punch Neapolitan Ice Cream Russian Charlotte Geneva Fancy Cakes English Pound Cake Java Coffee Mexican Chocolate wiss Cheese Brazilian Nuts Egyptian Dates Malaga Grapes Havana Cigars Turkish Cigarettes Result 'EACHER: A rich man dies and leaves $1,000,000 to eight nephews and nieces. What does each one get? Scuorar : Automobiles, ancestors and appendicitis. Ceylon Tea =—— comicbooks.com