Life, 1909-12-02 · page 59 of 80
Life — December 2, 1909 — page 59: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page primarily consists of **advertisements mixed with editorial content** rather than political satire. The main content—"The Literary Zoo" (continued article)—discusses how newspapers like the *Evening Mail* promote literature through puzzles and contests. The piece debates whether newspapers should educate readers toward "serious" literature, warning that exposure to quality journalism and books might actually divert readers *away* from newspapers toward higher intellectual pursuits—a somewhat self-aware, ironic concern. The advertisements are notably **nostalgic and pseudo-intellectual**: A Lowney's Chocolate ad quotes John Milton's *Paradise Lost* to suggest the candy's superiority, implying that even a 17th-century poet would have enjoyed these chocolates. Other ads promote Jaeger sanitary goods, nurses' uniforms, and maids' clothing. **For modern readers**: This reflects an early-20th-century anxiety about mass media's role in culture—newspapers wrestling with whether educating their audience serves their own interests. The chocolate ad's literary pretension is charmingly absurd by today's standards.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Literary Zoo (Continued from page 817) nducted by that zealous journal, the w York Evening Mail, as a stimu- lus to the cultivation of pure literature. metimes we have thought it a tac- | error, however worthy the motive, r a newspaper to engage too as- luously in the education of its read- crs’ literary taste. May it not turn hem away from its own columns to “from sweet kernels press’d he perusal of books or the higher She tempers dulcet creams.” ournalism of the magazines? Not i Again he describes ne, but many instances are recalled of ren and women almost imperceptibly liverted from the sporting, household nd “society” pages to more meaty mental pabulum. A AMfwrsey thrown carelessly in the way, a Ladies’ Home Journal fortuitously open at the page illuminated by Mr. Mabie, has led the newspaper reader to new fields of thought. Then comes Collier’s, and with it, perhaps, an unsuspected pa sion for philosophy and essays. For such a person the intellectual and moral What choice to choose for delicacy best, power of the newspaper has suffered What order, so contrived as not to mix a decline. Tastes not well join’d, inelegant, but bring * *£ 8 4 Taste after taste upheld with kindliest change.” _ The more honor, then, to any daily Two centuries beforehand the great poet had a foretaste of the journal bravely disregarding this par- delicious natural flavors in a box of LOWNEY’S CHOCOLATES, ticular peril to its prestige. The more honor to the ing Mail! On each of the si ¢ consecutive week days it has printed a puzzle picture, meant to illustrate the title of some one book in a catalogue including 3.000 names, Its readers were invited to con this catalogue, and to inscribe their guesses on coupons. An automobile, an auto- matic piano and other considerable prizes were to be apportioned among was rich in anticipations und foretold many things; amongst others, Low- ney’s Chocolates : — Chocolate Bon-Bons “on hospitable thoughts intent The Walter M. Lowney Co., Boston. Cocoa-Chocolate-Bon-Bons | 3 Unrivaled tor Warmth |_! . : : se and Comfort. That's why : i ; Correct Uniforms Jaeger outfits along. See | the bookish contestants most successful our catalogue for partic- in detecting what the newspaper artist quest, with samples. The intellectual character of the con- i For House Recommended by test will be seen at a glance. It has and Street all Polar expeditions take For Maids din, Sore Gone thought he meant to draw. physicians everywhere been observed that very many persons Dr. Jaoger's & W. 8. Co.'s Own Stores Aeetlyay 101Vahen Se "Bonet 957 Rovio St Pita 16 Chetan Sc Chleagos #2 State Se Arends tn ail Principat Cites, who read books pay little or no atten- tion to the names of the authors. This is actually true. Culture comes when they begin to connect the name of the writer with his work, Henceforth every reader of the Evening Mail will (Continued on page 820) Send for Catalog 0. Nurses Outfitting Association $2 W. 39th St., New York Home Bareaa House Near Fifth Aveune comicbooks.com