Life — April 14, 1910 — page 26: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

oe a Un oe Historic Fun SOME OF THE MOST FAMOUS EXAMPLES. OF ALL AGES NOW GATHERED TO- SETHER AND PRESENTED FOR THE FIRST TIME TO THE READERS OF a (To the Reader: Many years ago the editor of this series ccame interested in the question as to what is the funniest thing ever writ In the course of his search he rambled through most of the literatures of the world, and wherever he found a humorous thought or @ story that had fun in it he made a note of the fact. In the material here presented it is quite possible thot many old friends will be recognized. The classics have not been largely drawn upon because of their ss and length. But no age is exempt, The material nted in any chronological order, a leisurely negli- its preparation having been thought to be more 9 for the general reader.) Anecdotes from the Greek Aristotle, being unwell, was treated by his physician. On some prescription that was given him he remarked: “Don't treat me as you would a country bumpkin. Give me a reason for your treatment, and I will comply.” clian. Zeno said to a youth who was more disposed to talk than to lister “Young man, nature gave us one tongue, but two ears, that we may hear just twice as much as we speak.” —Stobacus. The Codfish BY BILL NYE A correspondent of the New York Post says that the codfish frequents “the table lands of the sea.” The cod- fish no doubt does this to secure as nearly as possible a dry, bracing atmosphere. This pure air of the submarine table lands gives to the codfish that breadth of chest and of lungs that we have often noticed. free smile of the codfish is largely attributed ration of this oceanic altitcodleum. The correspondent further says that the “codfish sub- sists largely on the sea cherry.” Those who have not had the pleasure of seeing the codfish climb the cherry tree in search of food, or clubbin fruit from the heavily laden branches with chunks of coral, have missed a very fine sight The codfish, when at home rambling through the sub- marine forests, does not wear his vest unbuttoned, as he does while loafing around the grocery stores of the United States, Mary and’Her Little Lamb BY AN ANONYMOUS AUTHOR Oh, Mary had _a little lamb, regarding whose cuticular The fluff exterior was white and kinked in cach particular, On each occasion when the lass was seen perambulating, The little quadruped likewise was there a gallavating. One day it did accompany her to the knowledge dispensary, Which to every rule and precedent was recklessly contrary. Immediately whereupon the pedagog superior, Exasperated, did eject the lamb from the interior. Then Mary, on beholding such performance arbitrary, Suffused her eyes with saline drops from glands called lachrymary, And all the pupils grew thereat tumultuously hilarious, And speculated on the case with wild conjectures various. “What makes the lamb love Mary so?” the scholars asked the teacher. He paused a moment, then he tried to diagnose the creature. “Oh pecus amorum Mary habit omnia temporum.” “ Thanks, teacher dear,” the scholars cried, and awe crept darkly o'er ‘em. THIS 1S THE OLDEST HUMOROUS DRAWING KNOWN 1N ENGLAND, AND IS PRESERVED IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM. IT DATES PROM 1320. TWO DEVILS ARE TOSSING A MONK OV! BOARD, comicbooks.com