Life, 1908-11-12 · page 16 of 24
Life — November 12, 1908 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes a real international marriage controversy, likely involving Victor Emmanuel III of Italy and an American senator's daughter. The mock correspondence mimics diplomatic formality while highlighting class tensions. **The Setup:** Victor Emmanuel II (Italy's king) writes to Senator Elkins (U.S.A.), opposing his cousin's marriage to Elkins's daughter. He argues the match threatens royal succession and career prospects—the woman isn't of sufficient rank. **The Satire:** Elkins's reply politely but firmly refuses, explaining he values American interests over European royal concerns. His daughter will choose her own husband despite parental wishes—reflecting American democratic values versus European aristocratic control. **The Point:** The exchange mocks Old World pretensions about bloodline and station when confronted with American individualism. The cartoons reinforce this: "American Sugar Preferred" depicts a crowned figure courting a wealthy American woman, suggesting U.S. wealth now rivals European nobility in importance. The satire celebrates American independence from aristocratic hierarchy.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Ler sé: Between Gentlemen The following correspond- ence relating to a matter in which the public has shown a lively interest, is here published for the first time. Tur Hoxorante Srxatox Exkixs, U. S.A. Dear Sexator: I UNDERSTAND my cousin Louis is very much under the spell of your daughter's au tions and desires to marry her. May I beg you, sir, to discourage the match. My mother, the queen dowager, is extremely opposed to it; so is my wife; so is every one of Louis’ female relations, and all his male relations also, so far as [ know. While I presume his inclination, as a mere human feeling, is entirely justified, he is truly not at liberty to indulge it. I have no brothers and but one son, and Louis but two older brothers (of whom only the elder has a son as yet), so that, with only four lives at present between him and me, if anything at all whole- sale in its character should occur, Louis might easily find himself holder of the office now under Providence entrusted to me. Failing that, as the son of an ex- King (of Spain) Louis is always open to the risk of being called to one royal em- ployment or another, provided he con- ducts himself as heretofore with discre- tion, and marries in his own sphere of life. But if he should marry a lady not of royal blood or its equivalent, his career “AMERICAN SUGAR PREFERRED would inevitably be prejudiced in its pos- sibilities, and marred in fact to a degree that would be sure in the long run to react upon the happiness of the lady whose affections he had engaged. Moreover your daughter must realize that to marry a man of whom all his female relatives are proud, and for whom they all have other views, is surely to invite great discomfort and probably un- happiness. Pardon me, sir, for intruding these considerations upon your attention. A sense of public duty must be my excuse. 1 am, sir, yours, &c., Victor Eamanuen II. King, &., &e. Victor Extaxvet HL, Italy. Dear Kino: I thank you for your candid letter, every line of which appeals to me. I have met your cousin a few times and he seems a young man to whom, personall no reasonable objection can be made. As a son-in-law, however, he would not be my choice. He lives too far away when he is at home, and much of the time, I understand, he is away from home, pursuing hazardous adventures or performing his duties as an officer of your navy. Being considerably inter- ested, materially, politically and senti- mentally in this country, and finding the scope of its activities quite adequate to provide occupation for me and mine, I should be loath to have my daughter marry away from it, even into a family and a country most desirous to receive her. Be assured, then, dear sir, that if your cousin should at any time consult me about marrying my daughter, or my daughter about marrying your cousin, I shall advise against it as strongly as I can. It is, however, the habit of girls in this country to choose husbands to suit themselves, and parental authority has very definite limitations. The most cer- tain way, therefore, for you to avert the catastrophe which seems to you to threaten, is to persuade your cousin to transfer his attentions to whom his female relatives can approve. With best assurances, I am, sir, Yours, &e.. &e.. Exxtys, Senator, &. some lady (By cable.) Exxins. U. S.A Thanks for kind much with Louis. offices in matter. letter. Cannot do Rely on your kind Victor, THIS NEW COW WILL ONLY LeT A WOMAN MILK HER, SO 1’VE GOT 70 DRESS UP FOR THE PART! (By cable.) Victor Ewataxven, Italy. My advice not much valued here, and forcible constraint neither consistent with my inclination nor lawful under constitution of West Virg Exxtns, (By cable.) ins, U.S.A I shall no longer oppose the match. It is no use. Victor. 3 (By cable.) Victor Exrmaxvet, Italy. Probably I had better consent, then, if Lam asked. LKINS. Rural Habits ars Hello, Jones, do you still live out at Oyster Bay? No—I'm in Brooklyn now. s it that you Long Island peo- ple are always moving from village to village?" OU don’t mean to say that you are going back to horses? * “Temporarily. I have moved to a country place, and I thought I should like to become acquainted with the scenery."” new Ccomicbooks.com