Life, 1909-11-18 · page 31 of 36
Life — November 18, 1909 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertisements and reprinted historical content** rather than satirical cartoons. The main elements: 1. **Porto Rico Tourism Ad**: Promotes steamship travel to Puerto Rico as a winter resort, emphasizing luxury and tropical appeal. 2. **"Sparks From Old Anvils"**: A historical reprint from an 1841 Washington newspaper criticizing office-seekers and political patronage—early American political commentary about government corruption. 3. **"Of Conversation"**: An 18th-century essay (attributed to Addison's *Spectator*, 1711) satirizing women's supposedly shallow interests in fashion and appearance rather than intellectual matters. This reflects **period misogyny**—it stereotypes women as vain and easily distracted by material goods like lace, ribbons, and jewels. 4. **Product Advertisements**: Pond's Extract (a patent medicine), vanishing cream, and ale ads occupy significant space. The "conversation" piece is the closest to satire here, but it's historical rather than contemporary commentary—presenting 18th-century social criticism about gender and materialism that modern readers would recognize as sexist rather than humorous.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
‘ld , i Jord Visit Porto Ri Every hour will unfold new sensations, new pleasures, new delights. Its invigorating climate and great tropical beauties make it an ideal Winter resort. Porto Rico can be reached in about four and a half days by juxurioussteamers, which are fitted with every comfort. pecial tourist rate of $140 includes all expenses. The mer is your hotel aang the entire trip of three weeks to and around the Island and back to New York, Write for particulars of sailings and illustrated booklet. The New York & Porto Rico Steamship Co. 12 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. Branch Ticket Office, 290 Broadway, or Raymond & Whitcomb, all principal cities. Sparks From Old Anvils (Continued from page 722) wish to prevent contention about the offices, FIRST kick out of doors the OFFICE-SEEKERS, and then kick after them every dog of an office- holder who will not gnaw his bone in peace.”"—From “ Kendall’s Expositor,” Washington, April 21, 1841. Of Conversation HE usual Conversation of ordinary Women very much cherishes a Outside and Appearance. new-married Couple and you imme- diately hear whether they keep their Coach and six, or eat in Plate. Men- tion the name of an absent Lady, and it is ten to one but you learn something of her Gown and Petticoat. A Ball is a great Help to Discourse, and a Birth- y furnishes Conversation for a ‘Twelve-month after. A Furbelow of precious Stones, an Hat buttoned with a Diamond, a Brocade Waistcoat or Petticoat, are standing Topicks. In short, they consider only the Drapery of the Species, and never cast away a Thought on those ornaments of the Mind that make Persons Illustrious in themselves and Useful to others. When Women are thus perpetually dazzling one another's Imaginations, and filling their Heads with nothing but Colors, it is no Wonder that they are more attentive to the superficial Parts of Life than the solid and sub- EXTRACT The test of time has only served to strengthen confidence in the efficacy of Pond’s Extract, the most useful household remedy. Soothing, Refreshing and Healing Ask your druggist for POND’S EXTRACT. Sold only in sealed bottles—never sold in bulk. Refuse all substitutes. VANISHING CREAM (POND'S EXTRACT COMPANY'S) ts an ideal nonotly totlet cream of great purity and exquisite Jacque Kose fragrance. "Vanishing Cream” ettectively promotes that fineness of skin texture so requisite to a clear and beautiful complexion. Send name and address for a tiberat FREE SAMPLE POND’S EXTRACT CO. Dept.F 78 Hudson St. New York stantial Blessings of it. A Girl who had been trained up in this kind of SIGNOR CARUSO ‘Then loud sang the fervent Caruso, ST'kpew It would come, yes I E pad ta As famous as old Rodin Cruso."* Price as cur famous q SILK VELOUR Conversation is in danger of every Embroidered Coat that comes in her Ways A Pair of fringed Gloves may be her Ruin. In a word, Lace and Ribbons, Silver and Gold Galloons, with the like glittering Gew-gaws are so many Lures to Women of weak Minds or low Educations, and when artificially displayed are able to fetch down the most airy Coquet from the wildest of her flights and rambles — Addison, “The Spectator,” March 17, 1711. ms “Oh Ne Jolly" The ale that tor purity, favor and wholesomencss out avival. One taste ®. rants and Cafes :p, BOXEER Witt eewsnses , Boston, Mass. comicbooks.com