Life, 1909-11-11 · page 10 of 36
Life — November 11, 1909 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine features a satirical cartoon titled "Ideas from Broadway" depicting fireworks exploding in the night sky with the caption "THE STARRY HEAVENS." The accompanying text, titled "The Reformer," discusses two contrasting political approaches: the reformer who seeks new ways and change, versus the conservative who prefers maintaining the status quo. The text uses the metaphor of traveling "in plain colors" and avoiding ostentatious display. The cartoon appears to satirize reformist ambitions or political upheaval—the explosive fireworks likely represent grandiose but ultimately ephemeral promises of change. A small figure at bottom observes the spectacle, suggesting the common person witnessing political theater. The satire critiques the theatrical, flashy nature of reform movements versus substantive political action.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
666 Popular Birthdays JONATHAN OGDEN ARMOUR Bora Nov. 11, 1863 Son of a worthy scion, greeting! To wish you as many birthdays as the price of meat is higher than it ought to Le would be a surfeit of benevolence. HENRY MILLS ALDEN Born Nov. 11, 1836 To have been forty years editor of Harper's Magazine and, as the sayi to have kept “abreast of the tir an accomplishment. During this perio! many interesting things have happened terature, like history, has been repeat itself. Great writers, turning out terpicces week after week, have come and gone, New schools have arisen and held their brief sway. Even an astronomer might quail at the thought of the number of manuscripts that Mr. Alden has rejected during this period. But, serene and undiminished in his courtliness and vigor, he has kept his place at the tiller, putting Dr. Osler to shame and exciting the envy of yourg editorial blades who think, doubtless, that they have come to “ know it all." And so, sir, we give thee good greet- ing on this thy natal day. Here's more power to thy clbow and a continuance of that undiminished enthusiasm so neces- sary to thy calling! The Reformer SN’'T it quite possible that the reformer whom we accustome to pelt as a pessimist and damn as a disturber is getting more out of life than most of us? There are two ways of doing things: cither in the way in which we just some- how happened to get started or in a new way are The conservative is the fel- low who likes the old way. He is fond of putting on his political slippers, hik- ing his feet on the political » and dozing. ntelpiece A FOUND FOOLISH THE STARRY HEAVENS SEEN FROM The reformer wants to be out find! new ways. He is a hustler. some stock in the adage, “ Variety the spice of life." He is looking for a good time. The Reverend Mr. Camp: bell of London, calls it “ finding God.”* Fen the conservative likes to get out of his shell once in a while. The tronotony palls upon him, even though he is at the top of the heap with both feet in the trou Real life, worthy of the name, doesn’t travel in plain colors. Plain colors should be left for old who are the conservative of all hy types. Life looks maids most best inp! BROADWAY checks and mixed goods, with plenty of trimming up and the front and back and sides. The the trimmings. He bastes on a strip and asks us what we think of it, Then we begin to take sides and argue. Meanwhile, he enjoys the spectacle and, before we finish, he is on to the next sale looking down reformer adds counter or bargain for other novelties. Ellis O. Jones.” man who collects facts is but the slave of the in T' curate who draws ac- conclusions from them comicbooks.com