Life, 1909-10-07 · page 11 of 44
Life — October 7, 1909 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This cartoon depicts a ship labeled "THE ROOSEVELT" sinking or breaking apart in water, with a large speech bubble proclaiming "LIAR!" The caption reads "SOUNDS NATURAL, DOESN'T IT?" The satire targets Theodore Roosevelt, likely during or after his presidency (the page dates to the early 1900s based on the "Popular Birthdays" section). The cartoon suggests Roosevelt made false or exaggerated claims—a common criticism leveled against him. The sinking ship metaphor implies his credibility or political fortunes were deteriorating. The joke's effectiveness relied on contemporary readers' familiarity with Roosevelt's public statements and controversies. Without knowing the specific incident referenced, modern readers would struggle to appreciate the precise target of this satirical attack.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Popular Birthdays DAVID HOWLAND FRANCIS. BORN OCTOBER 1, 1850 Hail, Governor, merchant of industry and maker of expositions! May the fact that you are a resident of Missouri never be held up against you. How are you, anyway? We have liked you all along, and hope we shall meet you. It has been a great pleasure to know that you were here, doing the best. that you could for dear old St. Louis—and the rest of us. Sir, there is, indeed, much to be said in your favor. Prosit! FREDERICK REMINGTON. TOBER 4, 1861 in, in his dusky flight ceding through the night ; the deer, the caribou g, have been good to you. nt of horses on the plain; The running stream, the forest main, The open sky, the earth below Have been your chosen studio. BORN OC. The Indi. In silence The mo Would you have done better in cities, to the dulect_ murmur of some anxmic model? We doubt it. You are a primi- tive man, born a few centuries after your time. Instead of painting on rocks you have used a canvas. SOUNDS NATURAL, DORSN’T 1T? Here's a health to thee, in pure crystal mountain dew, double distilled—the kind that inspires but docs not inebriate. Salute ! GEORGE WESTINGHOUSE. BORN OC- TOBER 6, 1846 My dear Mr, Westinghouse : This is just a brief line sent to you in hopes that it will reach you promptly on the morning of your birthday. Men like you are of more value toa State than others I could mention—but why spoil_a happy day by making compari- sons? Your creations are like all true works of art—not only give pleasure but have a practical value. — Where Shakespeare wrought in words, you work in iron and steel. It is good to think of you alive and with us yet, and may Time deal kindly with one whose name is above reproach. With many congratu- lations, believe me, Ever yours, AE HENRY J. HEINZ. BORN OCTOBER 11, 1844 Well, well, Mr, Heinz, may you have fifty-seven varieties of a birthday! May your heart never grow sour— but always overflow with the milk of human kindness. We chow chow to thee. May you always be unencucumbered with too many trials. We are glad to have We met you. have enjoyed your company. We don't know how many times you have doubled us up. Here's a brine to thee! never think of thee without shed- ding tears. You're a corker! lose your flavor and as delightfully estible in the future as you have been in the past. May your gherkins never grow less! JEANETTE LEONARD GILDER. BORN OCTOBER 3, 1849 Scribendi recte, sapere est et princi pium et fons.—Horace. To have been a critic for so many years, and yet to be highly esteemed for nd to be woman in the in, is something. To have come from an illustrious family and have made it more illustrious, is something more Many happy returns, Miss Gilder. May you never Eighty-Five BOUT cighty-five millions, it scems, in Mr. Harriman’s strong box Fair! Even in times like these. Prac tically all of it acquired in fifteen years, too. He would have been a rich man comicbooks.com