Life, 1907-08-15 · page 7 of 28
Life — August 15, 1907 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features a satirical illustration titled "LIFE" showing two heart-shaped vignettes. The left depicts a romantic couple in an outdoor setting; the right shows a domestic family scene. The caption reads: "SOMETIMES ABSENCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER—OF SOME ONE ELSE." Below is a "Court Room Scene" dialogue satirizing legal proceedings. The exchange mocks a court case involving nervous exhaustion and physical symptoms (knee-striking, eye strain). The District Attorney argues the defendant's condition is exaggerated, while the Court Physiologist supports the plaintiff's medical claims. The satire targets both the legal system's handling of medical evidence and the emerging field of medical expertise in courtrooms—suggesting skepticism about whether such "scientific" claims were genuine or theatrical performance.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SOMETIMES ABSENCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER—OF SOME ONE ELSE A Court Room Scene LERK: People vs. McFarrelli. Court: What's the charge—I forgot ? Cierk: Murder, pv: If it please your Honor, the Court Physiologist informs me that defendant is knock-kneed and that the constant striking of one knee against the other has produced a state of sporadic irrita- tion that renders him at times completely ir sponsible. It seems that when he shot Jones— Count (briskly): Discharged. Next case. Crerk: People vs. Annie Sweetsmile. (A side to Court) One of the Pink Pyjama girls, you know Courr (same): Oh, stabbed Cora Van Reveller—pretty ? Crerk: Um—um! District-AtToRNEY: If it please your Honor, the Court Op- tician reports that the nightly occupation of the defendant right in front of the footlights has produced a case of eyestrain, which in turn has induced a serious case of nervous dyspepsia with accompanying attacks of acute melancholy, and that during these attacks defendant’s responsibility is so impaired as to be a wholly negligible quantity for legal purposes. Cour (smiting): I think under such circumstances the duty of the Court is clear—Miss Sweetsmile is at liberty to leave, with the Court's recommendation that she place herself immediately in the care of a duly qualified medical expert, lest the unfortunate accident of some weeks ago be repeated. Next case. Cierk: The calendar—perhaps the District-Attorney? Disteict-AtTToRNEY: If it please your Honor, I would suggest that the Court take an adjournment for the rest of the month and that the jurors be discharged. ‘The Court Psychologist has beet at work now for three weeks on the case of Fergus Lalligan Phool— you , that mysterious affair on Fifth Avenue—it is a most troublesome case. 7 seems sound from scalp to soles, and yet the Court Psychologist is staking his scientifi theory that there must be a hitch somewhere—i to him that no man fully responsible would ever think of doing what the defendant did, and he is now trying to find expert opinions if support of his contention. Courr: Is he following any particular line? District-ATroRNEY: Certainly, your Honor. He has found in the works of a writer now dead—one George St. Bernard Shaw St. Simon Shaw, or some name like that—a clear and definite statement that the writer in question held himself irresponsible on the ground that his was a clear case of abnormal normality. Court: Oh, if that is the case—well, let’s adjourn. Gentlemen of the jury, you stand relieved from further duties, I thank you. ATTENDANT: Oyes, Oyes comicbooks.com