Life, 1907-05-16 · page 17 of 36
Life — May 16, 1907 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Main Dialogue Cartoon ("A Miss Is Worse Than a Mile"):** A silhouetted conversation between two figures—one appears to be Henry James (the famous writer), identified by name in the text. The satire mocks literary pretension: James argues he must keep scandalous secrets about himself because many people depend on him professionally for "literary support." The joke is that his reputation—however unearned—is what sustains his followers' livelihoods. Life ridicules both James's vanity and the parasitic relationship between celebrated authors and those who profit from their notoriety. **Secondary Elements:** - "Valuable Works" section parodies unpublished books by political figures (Elihu Root, William Howard Taft), suggesting they have embarrassing secrets worth concealing - "Razors, Too" section satirizes New York's efforts to disarm Sicilian immigrants, sarcastically suggesting similar "disarmament" efforts target African Americans - The crow cartoon appears unrelated political commentary The page satirizes celebrity culture, political hypocrisy, and ethnic stereotypes typical of early 20th-century American satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
681 lowers who have come to depend upon me as their only means of literary sup- port? Think of what it would mean to have them walk about in society cold and hungry for something to talk about that no one else knows the meaning of ?” “In other words, if the truth were known about you, a large number of people would be thrown out of employ- ment.” “Precisely.” “Then we'll have to keep quiet about all this.” “Absolutely. You can sympathize with me, but”—— “But it must be a secret between us.” “ Absolutely.” “I understand, Henry James. Just between you and me.” “Just between you and me.” “Good-moming.” “Good-morning, Ltr.” Valuable Works Not Yet Announced for Publication, but Expected Sometime “ TOLTS I Have Saved the Country,” by the author of “Confessions of Elihu Root.” “Up Against It,” by William Henry Taft, author of “Things I Undid,” “Scrapes I Have Got Folks Out Of,” ete. Razors, Too HILE New York is so fervent in the work of disarming the resident Sicilians, why not divert some of the surplus energy to persuading the colored brother to leave his razors on the bu- Teau? A MISS IS WORSE THAN A MILE therefore, absolutely secure. They have ‘There are good things about you. Even only to wag their heads solemnly and tell now, if you began all over on words of one how subtly great Iam. The only safety syllable, you might amount to some- on the part of others is to acquiesce in thing.” this ; not to acquiesce in it is to admit “You forget, Lire, my reputation: that one isnot uptome. Youseewhata How can I get rid of that?” Mrs. Crow : AUGERNON! ALGERNON! You perfect system it is.” “Live it down.” HAVE BEEN IN JAIL! “Oh, y But, my dear Henry, you “At my time of life! Besides, would it Mr. Crow: 1 BAVE not. I LEANED are really an interesting and able person. be fair now to disappoint all those fol- AGAINST A WHITEWASHED YENCE comicbooks.com