Life, 1909-04-29 · page 17 of 28
Life — April 29, 1909 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains several short satirical pieces typical of Life's format: **"No Mystery"** quotes Professor Brander Matthews attacking a New York newspaper for its sensationalism and malice. Matthews sarcastically claims if the paper existed in biblical times, it would have misrepresented Christ's teachings and solicited funds for Judas. The piece mocks the paper's consistently negative coverage without naming it—"no prize was offered for the correct guess—perhaps because it was too easy," suggesting the target newspaper was obviously identifiable to contemporary readers. **"The Hypochondriac"** cartoon shows a domestic dispute: a man can't find his flannel trousers because his valet Wilson claims they're so lightweight Wilson is wearing them without noticing. The humor relies on physical comedy about invisible garments. The page also includes brief joke sections ("The Gourmet's Philosophy," "Excusable Mistake," and observations about mining stock and romantic flirtation). The top illustration depicts fantastical woodland creatures in a surreal scene, likely accompanying a story or poem not fully visible on this page.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
No Mystery ROFESSOR BRANDER MATTHEWS has the artist's touch. In a recent speech he thus referred to a New York newspaper: for its od causes that that it has not abused: raised. If it had existed in of the money-changers ported and misrepre: the “ And there is a morning paper,” us for its malignity. There a led; there are few good met few bad men that it has not 1,909 years ago it would have been in the temple. It would have mis Sermon on the Mount. It would lh: of its bright young men to write a comic account of the Cruc ion: and it would have opened its columns for a subscription for Judas Iscariot. 1 sce that T'do not need to name the paper. No prize was offered for the correct guess—perhaps be- cause it was too easy. The Gourmet’s Philosophy EE: drink and be merry, For to-morrow you shall diet. Excusable Mistake presided over by the venerable Mrs. ing 1 3 OU'VE got it mixed, neighbor. The venerable Mrs. Ward's name is Howe. ALL the mining stock that glitters is not gold. THE HYPOCHONDRIAC ANY a man thinks he is only flirting with a girl when he is really flirting with trouble. “WILSON, WHERE ARE MY FLANNEL TROUSERS?" “THEY ARE ON Yt “on ME THEY ARE SO LIGHT THAT I DON’T G THeM!"*