Life, 1910-02-17 · page 12 of 44
Life — February 17, 1910 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a "Popular Birthdays" feature celebrating notable figures born in February, with biographical tributes and portrait photographs. The page includes entries for Samuel Sidney McClure (publisher), Josephine Daskam Bacon (writer), Russell Henry Chittenden (professor), Adelina Patti (opera singer), Brander Matthews (literary figure), Margaret Elizabeth Sangster (editor), and Margaret Wade Deland (novelist). The central illustration depicts a gondola with "THANKS, OLD MAN" caption—likely a classical reference to Charon ferrying souls, though its specific satirical target is unclear without additional context. The page celebrates American literary and cultural figures of the late 19th/early 20th century through respectful biographical sketches rather than political satire. It functioned as both entertainment and cultural commentary in *Life* magazine.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Popular Birthdays SAMUEL SIDNEY McCLURE Born February 17, 1857 The constellation of McClure has long been known in the literary periodical firma- ment. It is set in a syndicate of les- ser stars, and is of the ‘first muck-raking magnitude. It is visible in the publishers’ heavens throughout the year, and can be seen with the naked eye any clear day. It was formerly in conjunction with the Doubleday double cross, but has since then been shining by its own light Colonel McClure is the chief sun of this group. Sir, we congratulate you upon your ascendancy. May your bright rays never grow less. The public is with you JOSEPHINE DASKAM BACON Born February 17, 1876 To a woman of such admirable literary and social attainments, whose domestic triumphs are not less than her contributions to art, we take off our hats. To you, madam, who have amused and edi- fied us, we offer the humble tribute of our praise and felicitatior RUSSELL HENRY CHITTENDEN Born February 18, 1856 __ Professor Chittenden, it will be remembered, some time ago conducted a series of experiments upon sol- diers and other human beings, in order to find out how little food they could live on. He afterwards wrote a book about it, a monument of statistical information about foods. In spite of all this, Professor, we assure you that not only. have’ w nothing against you, but we esteem you highly. The fact that you have made an effort to get us to lead the digestible life might, we can easily understand, bring offense to many. But we are broad and liberal in our views. W. it stand between us, and especially on this your birthday, when all differences should be buried We therefore wish you the best of health, and many happy and gastronomical returns of the day. ADELINA PATTI (Baroness Cederstrom) Bora February 19, 1643 No system of education, nor any coalition between nations, no prophet crying in the wilderness, ‘no sect, nor any reform movement, no new religion nor system of hilosophy, nor victory on the attlefield, has ever been able to produce a voice like yours A voice. is unanswerable before the bar of public opin- ion; it is subject to no moral it is above custom leges and tradition “THANKS, OLD MAN,” is not. pre-natal. It is purely accidental. It is the one thing that everybody understands, It is known wherever it is heard, by the high and the low, the rich and the poor. Patti, sing- ing “The Last Rose of Sum- mer.’ would make armies pause and break up the most solemn assembly of che world’s greatest. It car- ries its message alike to the mother and the monarch. We can scarcely believe, madam, that your fare- well performances have ceased among us. We take otf our hats to you—ihe greatest of them all. We hope that you will continue to merit for many years to come the gratitude of millions of devout listeners. BRANDER MATTHEWS Bora February 21, 1852 The aristocracy, of letters acknowledges no terri- torial prejudices. The high minded of the earth are met with in all parts of the globe. A Hindoo savant, sitting in rapt con- templation, would welcome to. his esoteric horizon a man like Brander Matthews and call him brother, as much as he would some more inti- mate racial confrére. Professor Matthews is one of our brightest literary stars. Subjected to tions he has still eserved his individuality, mean. spelling reformer. He is a scholar whose sense of universality has kept him an individual. In his attitude of a teacher he has been always a learner with the rest. Here's to you, Brander Matthews. Long may you wave! MARGARET ELIZABETH SANCSTER Born February 22, 1838 Mrs. Sangster was for many years. the —accom- plished editor of Harper's Bazar. | Afterwards she wrote for the Ladies’ Home Journal and she now has a host of readers on the Woman's Home Compan A long and honorable career, Lire’s congratulations! MARGARET WADE DELAND Born February 23, 1857 There can be no dowht that among the women writers of pre-eminent posi lion. She posses ses the gift of character deline ation united with a graceful and interesting style —a style founded on the simplest methods, and, as such, deserving the highest praise Madam, you have added to our stock of those few best books that we hope in time shall go to, make an enduring literature, We ac knowledge. our indebtedness to you and wish you joy and a lone life. comicbooks.com