Life, 1907-02-28 · page 27 of 28
Life — February 28, 1907 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **letters-to-editor page with advertisements**—not a political cartoon. The content addresses **George Cohan**, the famous playwright-composer-performer. A reader credits Cohan with writing the poem "Myself and Me" published in Life's December 20 issue, noting it reflects his serious philosophical side despite his reputation for comedy. The letter establishes that Cohan composed this verse during a day off between theatrical projects. A second letter quotes novelist Flora Annie Steel on women's lives—marriage, motherhood, and grandchildren constitute a woman's allotted existence, with only death remaining as novelty. **The advertisements**—for Park & Tilford tea, Murad cigarettes ("the metropolitan standard"), Meux's stout, and Beeman's pepsin gum—represent typical early-1900s luxury goods marketing. These reflect the era's consumer culture and relatively unregulated advertising claims (notably Beeman's gum's digestive benefits). The page offers glimpses of period entertainment, gender expectations, and commercial culture rather than satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ASADENA, CAL. Dear Life—In your issue of December 20 there occurs on page 770a poem called “ Myself and Me.” Judging from the little item which precedes it, I thought you might care to give the author the credit which is his due. I regret being unable to send the newspaper clipping from which I gained my information, but it is, un- fortunately, pasted in an album, It reads as follow “That George Cohan views life from its serious as well as its comical side has been the conclusion of many of the patrons of ‘Little Johnny Jones’ after hearing ‘Life Is a Funny Proposition After All,’ which the clever playwright-composer comedian half-recites, half-sings in the last act. ‘There is shown a keen understanding of an ear- nest philosophy of life in the two stanzas of that song, and the effect on the audience is a sobering one. A similar Lit of verse was composed re- cently by Mr, Cohan while sitting one day in the office of the Illinois theatre. He is an indefatiga- ble worker, and having just finished his musical comedy for Fay Templeton’s use, he was idle, for it was not until the next day that be began work on Washington, Jr.,’ which is to be the new piece in which he himself is to star late-next season. It was during this ‘off day’ that he penned the following poem, entitled ‘Myself and Me.’”” ‘The poem is exactly as published by you. I take it for granted that the writer of the above “knew whereof he aflirmed.” Sincerely yours, Evang M. Dennis. Jan. 13, 1907. N REPLY to a letter from an American, re- cently, asking for information about herself, Mrs. Flora Annie Steel, whose novel, “The Sov- ereign Remedy,” has just been brought out, wrote as follows: “I have been married, I havg borne children, I have two grandsons; I have therefore lived through the life allotted to woman and the only novelty before me is death.” Park &Tilford FOUNDED 1840. NEW YORK At luncheon and afternoon affairs, for the home circle, what is more refreshing, soothing, than the best cup of Tea? Buy the best at lowest prices from Park & Tilford’s Stores. Every Grade absolutely pure, perfectly cleansed, with the original fragrant individual favor. (No blending of inferior qualities.) 28c to $1.50 |b. Soothing and refreshing are the best Teas—only the best. The more critical the smoker, the more emphatic his appreciation of -MURAD~ CIGARETTES The distinctive character of the Murad—produced by expert skill in the blending of the finest Turkish tobaccos—has made it the choice of the most dis- criminating smokers, until it is everywhere recognized as “THE METROPOLITAN STANDARD” 10 for 15 cents S. ANARGYROS, Manufacturer, 111 Fifth Avenue, New York = CHEw... ») Beeman’s THE OnIGINAL Pepsin Gum + « Cares Indigestion and Ses-sickoess. \MpeEUxX’s Original London Sy TOUT For luncheon or _ after-theatre suppers, nothing is more de- licious. (Pronounce it MEWKS.) LUYTIES BROTHERS, Agents, N. Y. Oa a eee