Life, 1910-04-28 · page 31 of 40
Life — April 28, 1910 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page mixes **advertising with literary satire**, not political cartooning. The main content is a **rhymed book review** of "The Kingdom of Slender Swords" by Hallie Erminie Rives—a melodramatic novel set in Japan. The reviewer mocks the story's absurd plot: a mad scientist with mystical powers threatens a foreign naval squadron; a Japanese maid named Haru betrays him to stop him; an "aeroplane" hero saves the day and wins her love. The satire targets **overwrought romantic fiction** of the era—the reviewer notes the plot has "not a shred of truth to trip on" and calls a key scene "quite disgusting." The **advertisements** (Venetian Awnings, Pond's Extract shaving product, Dissolvene rubber garments) are typical early-20th-century magazine filler, unrelated to the editorial content. No specific political figures or events are referenced—this is simply Life magazine's humor directed at popular literature conventions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SRRES VENETIAN AWNINGS'|' for outalde and Inside of town and country houses ‘very durable, convenient and artistic. : Special Outside Venetians for porches and plazzas: exclude the ssn admit the Ureeze equal to Sn outdoor room. Mention L/¢ for tree pamphlet Orders should be plated now for early summer. MEG: COMPANY and'S West 29th Street, New York Pacentee and Manstacturer of Venetian Binds. Reding Parttions, Rolling Shutters, Burglar and Fireproot Steel Curtains, Wood Block Floors Rhymed Reviews The Kingdom of Slender Swords (By Hallie Erminie Rives. The Bobbs- Merrill Company) Hai! koto ‘ricksha, Ojo-San! Matstiri biwa Fuji-Yama; Hyakw shoji soroban, Kimono geisha Yokohama! This Hashimura Togo song Shall prologize a yarn of Nippon Whose plot Bobbs Merrilly along Without a shred of truth to trip on, The Long Arm of Coincidence Is badly sprained before it’s ended, While Nature climbs the nearest fence, Agape to find her laws suspended. The Dreadful Doctor Barsonin A means of Mystic Force devises. Suppose you rile that Man of Sin: He lifts his hand; a sound arises, A chiming, elfin note of fate (A locust-ery, perhaps, is louder), And, puff!—you just disintegrate, Dissolved to fine, atomic powder! In Yokohama’s friendly bay A foreign squadron lies at anchor; A Perfect Figure without drugs or dieting can gum be obtained by wearing Dissolvene Rubber Garments POSITIVE RESULTS Worn with Coasort by Men and Women Write for Booklet *L" DISSOLVENE MFG. COMPANY. 18 West 34th St. Tel. No, 3594 Marray BIIl Uiioe Court Dotstig) Néiouag Walset Aor Robber Pose Mata zemory Tan, Preches and all te of the Skin, Price 85.00 THE STANDARD FOR 60 YEARS Improves the Lather! A few drops in the shaving cup or on the brush will:’ Change the soapy smell to a delightful aromatic freshness. Make a smoother, creamier lather that lasts longer than when plain water is used. Soothe the skin during the shave and thus prevent irritation. POND’S EXTRACT CO. POND'S EXTRACT is used by men of dis- crimination everywhere. Sold only in sealed bottles—never in bulk Large trial bottle and booklet telling the best way to shave will be mailed FREE on request. Dept.47, 78 Hudson St., New York The Doctor schemes to waft away A ship or so for greed and rancor. But Haru, maid of Old Japan, Intrudes; the Doctor's guile mis- trusting, She sells herself to learn his plan— The episode is quite disgusting. ™ Yet haste, oh, haste, or in vain! “Away! my trusty heaven-ranger!” Aboard his swift aéroplar The Hero braves the Unknown Danger And saves the squadron just in time! His Love proves true; his foe de- ceases ; (Continued om page 780) comicbooks.com