Life, 1908-12-10 · page 20 of 24
Life — December 10, 1908 — page 20: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains satirical humor pieces typical of Life magazine's social commentary, plus book advertisements. **"The New York Idea"** mocks working-class New York dialect and street culture—a tourist asking a streetwise boy for Broadway directions, with the boy feigning ignorance despite clearly knowing the city. The humor relies on ethnic/class-based dialect comedy popular in early 1900s America. **"Mark Twain as Art Critic"** presents Twain's practical irreverence toward high art—when shown an elaborate sculpture of a woman arranging her hair, he quips she should have hairpins in her mouth. It satirizes pretentious art appreciation. **"A Bright Suggestion"** from Judge's Library mocks yellow journalism's vague crowd estimates at events, proposing a satirical scale. It notably includes a dig at political opposition coverage—newspapers allegedly describe opponents' gatherings as "empty house" or "a few stragglers" while inflating their own side's numbers. This reflects early Progressive-era media criticism. The remainder is primarily book advertisements—typical period publishing fare.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
OL! CONTI MFO ARI os THE NEW YORK IDEA “ Little boy.”” Huh?"* “Do you know where Broadway is?’ “ Say—wot youse take me fer?" Well, where is it?” Aw, don’t youse believe I know?" “Yes, of course. But I don’t know. Tell me how to get there from here.’” “Aw, youse know how.’” “1 do not. I'm a stranger. I haven't the Jeast idea what it i “Quit yer kiddin’. “ Where—is— Broadway?” “want”? “This way, or that way?" “Yer stringin’ me."'—New York Times. “Wuici do you think affords greater pleas- mre, pursuit or possession? ”’ “I don’t know,” answered the man with a motor car. “ Possession is a fine thing. But I have sometimes suspected that the police get more fun out of my machine than I do.""—Wash- ington Star. Asurvittz, N. C.: The four-season resort of the South, Tue Manor, the English-like Inn of Asheville MARK TWAIN AS AN ART CRITIC Mark Twain's humorous advice to some burglars who broke into his house the other day proves that he has the faculty of finding humor in the most unexpected places. A friend once took him to see a very beautiful and valu- able piece of sculpture. It represented a young woman coiling up her hair, and the workman- ship was such that the owner’s other companions stood open-mouthed in admiration. “ Well,”” said the host, turning to Mark Twain for his verdict, “what do you think of it? Grand, isn't it?" “Yes, it’s very pretty."" said Mark. “but it’s not true. to natur Why not?” inquired every one in surprise. “She ought to have her mouth full of hairpins,’ replied the humorist gravely.—Wasp A sign at a Taities’ Fate reads 2 Foor A BRIGHT SUGGESTION (From Judge’s Library.) The lamentable lack of uniformity in the use sof words descriptive of numbers, in the yellow press, justifies a little attention, perhaps. At a street fight, a hotel fire, or a political meeting, there is seldom time to ascertain the exact num- ber of persons present, to be sure, but the follow- ing scale might be used in approximation: Over 3, but less than 10......a crowd. Over 10, but less than 20.. scores, Over 20, but less than 50.....a myriad. Over 50, but less than 100... . thousands Over 100 a vast concourse. This list would undergo a radical change, how- sever, in case the newspaper was reporting a «oolitical meeting of its opponents. It might then de abridged : 100 or more 300 or more $00 or more. . 1,000 oF more. - 3.000 or more. GREAT BEAR SPRING WATER “1s purity has made it famous” empty house. a few stragglers. a lonely gathering. a small audience. only the front seats filled. ¢ Pooks That Satisfy si A publisher, no matter how hard he tries, doesn’t often succeed in getting out a book which he feels is really successful in all details: text, pictures, form, type and manu- facture. Here, however, are a group of new books which we think are right —even to the matter of selling at prices to fit any purse. We confidently recommend them as volumes which will satisfy you for your own library or as gifts. Life, 12-10-08, A book bubbling over with the joyous spirit of Christ- mas. A simple little tale which goes to the very root of human affection. Four illustrations in color by Charles M. Relyea. Net, 50c. (Rate A romantic tale of extrav- agant splendor on the trop- The ical island of Nevis, by an author whose books are Gorgeous always welcomed with en- thusiasm. Remarkable Isle illustrations in color by C. C. Phillips. Special, Net, 90c. (2s A very luxurious edition printed on thin, opaque The Pocket paper. Bound in imported ses ox-blood red leather. Seven Edition volumes ready. Others to come. Send for particulars. Each Net, $1.50 (fase The most beautiful illus- i - trated edition of Shakes- Midsummer peare’s fairy play ever Night’s published. 40 plates in Dream color and other illustrations, Net $5.00 (Pau) Uniform with “Midsummer-Night’s Dream": By Mrs. Grace S. Richmond By Gertrude Atherton of Rudyard Kipling Illustrated by Arthur Rackham “Rip Van Winkle,” with 50 illustrations in color. Net, $5.00 (postage 22¢.) Also illustrated by Mr. Rackham: “Allee in Wonderland,’ illustrated in color. Popular edition, net, $1.40 (postage 126) Edition de luze, net, $10.00 (postage 20.) a @ mewn © rer Dovus.eDAY. PaGE & Co. NEW YORK. HARTSHORN SHADE ROLLERS Bear the script name of Stewart Hartshorn on label. Get “Improved,” no tacks required. Wood Rollers Tin Rollers “An Ideal Bridge Card.”* "Desi sence Red, Blue, Readers: “Eon nes Tort 104 Peart Caras MONEY TO LOAN in sums to suit on Real Estate, City or Country, anywhere in the United States, or Canada, at six per cent. interest. Two per cent. commission charged for placing loans. Will also make loans on yachts and vessel property. Address : A. H, CRAWFORD, R. F. D. Route One, Box 60, Ellicott City, Maryland, 682 Neo “mEstoR” SINPORTED® New § for He tinuous have to