Life, 1908-04-30 · page 19 of 20
Life — April 30, 1908 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine (dated March 31, 1908) consists primarily of **advertisements and editorial content rather than political satire**. The main satirical piece is "A Plea for Certain Outcast Authors"—a tongue-in-cheek essay defending writers who produce commercial bestsellers. The author uses mock-serious language to argue that even hack writers can maintain some moral character if they exercise restraint, surround themselves with good influences, and remain humble about their commercial success. The satire targets both the publishing industry's profit motive and authors' compromises with commercial demands. The piece treats bestseller-writing as a moral failing requiring spiritual discipline—an ironic commentary on early-20th-century anxieties about mass-market literature. The remaining content consists of period advertisements: Philip Morris cigarettes, *St. Nicholas* children's magazine, Mennen's talcum powder, and Allen's Foot-Ease powder. These ads reflect typical consumer products and marketing approaches of the Edwardian era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
As good today as fifty years ago— PHILIP MORRIS ORIGINAL LONDON CIGARETTES Need no better recommendation. i ae | A Plea for Certain Outcast Authors HE question has recently been asked, “Can one write a best-seller and still lead a moral life?” This, like that other question, ‘‘Can an artist be a gentleman?” depends a great deal upon the point of view. The whole matter, however, lies deeper. Ifa man has an honest and earnest de- sire to lead a better life; if he constantly subjects himself to a close scrutiny; if he tries his best to surround himself with good influences, and if he has a family tosupport, be may write one or even two best-sellers and not become utterly hopeless. This does not mean, of course, that any man should become completely addicted to the habit of writing best-sellers. Naturally he will—especially if he have a lively conscience—hold himself constantly in check. At the same time, we firmly telieve that with fastings and prayer and an open-air life, any man in good health can write a couple of best-sellers and still not find his character permanently injured. This is said with a full understanding of the risks he runs. It must be remembered, however, that the man who succeeds in writing enough best-sellers to keep body and soul alive, holding himself sternly to this task and withstanding the temptation to write more, is ‘really, in one sense, establishing a certain amount of character. Of course, the fact that he has written one best-seller cannot be minimized: that must always stand out against him. On the other hand, this very fact gives him a fain in humility, For no man who has ever Written a best-seller can ever be quite the same again to his family, his friends and his God He may assume an outward bravado, a sort of devil-may-care look. But the con- Sciousness of what he has done must ever Temain with him, and this in itself is work- ing for his ultimate good. For it always keeps him where he belongs. Children’s ideals, standards, characters and opinions are largely moulded by what they read. A copy of ST. NICHOLAS in any household stead- ily tends to develop healthy and vigorous minds. ST. NICHOLAS can be bought at any news-stand for twenty-five cents. forget. It will give chil- dren a voyage to Storyland they will never The One Great Dear E. 2 wish to congratulate you on your April number of St. Nicholas j it is ex- cellent. A Bor's Motusa. March 31, 1908. Childrens Magazine ST. NICHOLAS 25 cents a copy at all news-stands and book-stores THE CENTURY CO., UNION SQUARE, NEW YORK MENNEN’S BORATED TALCUM TOILET POWDER for After Shaving. Toslet that your barber uses Mennen’s you, Ite ration, Get Measene—the ortginal, Sold. everywhere, or mailed for 85 cents. Sample Pree, GERHARD MENNEN CO., Newark, N. 3. ALL rN N'S FOOT-EASE Shake Into Your Shoes Allen's Foot= Ease, a powder for the feet. It cures painful, swollen, emarti d instantly takes out of corns and bunions. “ It'sthe est comfort discovery of the Allen's Foot=Kase makes tight-fitting or new shoes feel easy. It is a certain care for tngrowing nails, sweating, callous and hot, tired, aching feet. We have over 80,000 testimonials” TRY IT TO-DAY. Sold by all Draggists and Shoe Stores, 2c. Do not accept any substitute. Sent by mail for 26c. in stamps. FREE Zitnicrsce sent by mail. Address ALLEN 8. OLMSTED, Le Roy, N.Y. PRESS OF REOFIELO BROTHERS, NEW YORK comicbooks.com