Life, 1909-09-16 · page 25 of 32
Life — September 16, 1909 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a satirical poem reviewing Mrs. Humphry Ward's novel, which critiques easy American divorce laws. The plot follows a mismatched marriage: Roger Barnes, a handsome but financially troubled Englishman, marries Daphne Floyd for her money. After five years of unhappiness, Daphne divorces him in South Dakota (known for lenient divorce laws) and leaves America. Roger descends into alcoholism and dies unforgiving. The satire's point, explained by critic Arthur Guiterman: the novel argues that American divorce is *too easy* compared to Britain's stricter laws. The moral critique suggests that easy divorce enables selfish behavior—Daphne escapes her marital obligations, while Roger suffers. This reflects early 20th-century debates about divorce reform, with conservatives warning that accessible divorce undermined marriage's stability and moral seriousness. The page is otherwise filled with advertisements for shade rollers, automobiles, and tooth powder.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
HARTSHORN SHADE ROLLERS Bear the script name of Stewart Hartshorn on label, Get*Improved," no tacks required. Wood Kollers Tin Rollers Rhymed Reviews Marriage a la Mode Mrs. Humphry Ward.—Doubleday Page & Co.) sn't any question that s Daphne Floyd (excuse the diction) ¢ as mean a little cat r played a part in fiction er hailed from Erin's glades, other hailed from Buenos Ayres, sa type of Yankee maids , endowed by all the fairies. Now Roger Barnes from England came, As handsome as the young Apollo; s blue, his blood the same head was pretty hollow. The wooing sped apace. ssuming all the chances— because she liked his face, He, her, to rescue his finances. before five years were done fancied wrongs had reached their quota; sea she fled and won \ nice divorce in South Dakota. drank and knocked about his healsh with rapid living; ntant Daphne sought him out To find him dying, unforgiving. d thu: ¢ leave the xhi A’’ against With Roger ready for the tomb And Daphne learning what Remorse is noral isn’t wholly clear: > me it seems the book was written To prove divorce too easy here— 1 much too difficult in Britain, Arthur Guiterman at did your European trip cost you?" nlred and fifty dollars in tips and incidental traveling expenses.”” 9,059-Word send usa postaland ask for our free illus- ord Business Booklet which tells how iness Experience, squeezed from the ig. >road. brainy, business men may he 'S—yours to boost your salary, to increase ‘its. “This free booklet deals with How to get and hold a position How to advertie siness fe methods sSage or tls tree, book binds yea. “c ‘involves yu ret it may be the means of starting you on a You will not deny yourselt this priviege wires caly the rick ofa, postalna penny ! Slnply sy oore mobile Co-of America _ Bridgeport Conn- NEW YORK BOSTON | CHICAGO - ~ PHILADELPHIA SAN FRANCISCO MEMBER ASSOCIATION LICENSED AUTOMOBILE MFRS- _————| Wisdom. — As your teeth are wanted to last—for time to come— begin at once their daily antiseptic cleansing with Calvert's Carbolic Tooth Powder. Frice from 1scts. | Sample and booklet from Park & Tulord, $27 Broadway, New York. TUE MAN ON THE INSIDE. comicbooks.com