Life, 1908-05-07 · page 43 of 48
Life — May 7, 1908 — page 43: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising and literary content** rather than political satire. The main items are: 1. **"Betel Nuts"** — A collection of Hindu proverbs gathered by Arthur Guiterman, presented with gentle humor. These are folk sayings about human nature (e.g., "God cures the patient, / The Doctor takes the fee"), offering mild social commentary through traditional wisdom rather than sharp satire. 2. **Byron's First Letter** — A reproduction of a childhood letter from the poet Lord Byron, presented as a historical curiosity with editorial commentary praising *Life* magazine's wit compared to British *Punch*. 3. **Advertisements** — Large ads for the Lackawanna Railroad's summer resort guide and Sanitol toilet/tooth preparations. The page reflects *Life*'s 25th-anniversary self-congratulation and general early-1900s magazine content mixing literature, humor, and advertising without explicit political targeting.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
NUMBER of quaint and clever Hindu aphor A isms have been gathered together by Arthur Guiterman ina unique little book. ‘The name of the solume, “Betel Nuts,” is derived from the nature of the proverbs which are said to be ever in the mouths of the people of Hindustan, giving spice and color to their speech even as the betel nut—the chewing gum oi the Orient. We quote a few of the proverbs: God Fipes the mangoes, The Farmer shakes the tree; God cures the patient, ‘The Doctor takes the fee. ‘ho cooked this rice?" Not I!—that Worthless Hound!" “Tis very nice.” “Why—yesTI stirred it round!" You have no Debts? Indorse a Note. You have no Cares? ‘Then buy a Goat. This under the rose, But it’s true to the letter: ‘The Man thinks he knows, But the Woman knows better. “0 Allab, take me!" prayed Ram Chunder. Above him crashed and rolled the Thunder. “Not now!" he cried, in fright and sorrow, “Not now, O Lord!—I meant to-morrow!" ‘The donkey to the camel said, “How dainty are your fect!" ‘The camel to the donkey said, “Your voice is very sweet!” Byron’s First Letter N THE library of Trinity College is the original letter of which the following is a copy. It is a schoolboy’s hand, upon pencil lines y obliterated : Disa Maoa—My Mamma being unable to write herself es [will et you know that the potatocs are now ready and vu please. kyns if she would wish the 1 to go home the nearest site well, but too small to carry me se sent a young Rabbit which I beg Miss Frances will ef and which I promised to send before. My Mamma het best compliments to you all, in which T join Tam, Dear Aunt, Yours sincerely, Byeos. Newstead Abbey, Nov. 8, 1708. Thope you will excuse all blunders, as it is the frst letter I ever wae E HOPE it is not too late for the Courier- Journal to congratulate Lire on its twenty- fifth birthday. Of every people it may be said “by their jokes ye shall know them.” The difference between Lire and Punch is as marked as that be- tween the English and the Americans—far greater | between Lire and the satiric publications of Paris and Berlin—the palm wholly on the side of the | Yankee, which is witty without being vulgar and wise without being dull. Lrrr indeed recalls the Punch of the Forties and the Fifties, when as a Public force Punch rivaled the Times, making up in lightning flashes what was wanting to the reverbera- °“Thunderer”; but whereas Punch was oal, L1FE gives us finished pictures and © rarest etching, alonig with its terse and weighty sermor y satires and its never- fail Lay we live to dance at Lirr’s Golden at's easy; the intent of the law is to make | business for the lawyers.""—Syracuse Herald. | YOUR SUMMER PLAYGROUND? Half the enjoyment of the summer vacation depends on the choice of the right place. There's a right place for everybody. You will find it described in the 1908 Summer Book of the Lackawanna Railroad, entitled “MOUNTAIN AND LAKE RESORTS” a beautifully illurated bock of 112 pages and a practical guide to the best places for fishing, hunting, golfing, motoring, climbing, sailing, swim- ming or any other sport or recreation. The book will tell you the one beat place to go to, the right way to go, and the best place to May. It gives list of hotels, rates, railroad fares, etc. ec Send your address and 10c. in stamps Geveral Passenger Agent, Lackawanna Railroad R ilroad Dept. 18, 00 West St... New York aliroa YOU can secure absolute and lasting cleanliness of the teeth and mouth by using the Sanitol Tooth Preparations. YOU can add to the comfort and beauty of the body through the services of the elegant Sanitol Toilet Preparations. ea) 6 Teer teen in the family, all good Sclect them today at your druggist’s or at any toilet counter tu) 4 Sates sti Powat comicbooks.com