Life, 1910-06-16 · page 24 of 44
Life — June 16, 1910 — page 24: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a satirical piece mocking President Theodore Roosevelt's African hunting expedition. The top cartoon shows the chaotic effect of "a celebrated African hunter" returning to Coney Island's merry-go-round—depicting wild animals and pandemonium. The medieval narrative parodies Roosevelt ("Sir Teddidore") leaving office, with Vice President William Howard Taft ("Sir Billitaff") assuming power. The story ridicules Taft's administration, particularly his association with controversial advisors and his handling of conservation issues. "Sir Gifford of the Forest Green" appears to reference Gifford Pinchot, the conservationist who clashed with Taft's Secretary of the Interior. The satire suggests Roosevelt's absence created chaos, with evil counselors corrupting Taft's leadership. The "dragon" of rising costs plagued the nation unchecked. The "Baseball Term: A Squeeze Play" caption likely references political maneuvering or pressure tactics occurring simultaneously.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE RETURN OF A CELEBRATED AFRICAN HUNTER PRESUMABLE EFFECT ON A CONEY ISLAND MERRY-GO-ROUND The Romaunt of Sir Teddidore (A Fragment from an Old Palimpsest) T befell that when Sir Teddidore, the good knight, had reigned seven twelve-month and more in his realm of Amerique, which lieth betwixt the broad oceans, he grew a-weary of the toils and trials of governance. So called he to him his friend and brother-at-arms, Sir Billitaff, which was a portly knight and of merry countenance, and bade him rule in his stead, and let him be sworn that he would judge the people rightly, that he would slay dragons, giants, wizards and caitifis; that he would rescue distressed damosels; that he would guard the land from evil and do all else that unto kingship rightly longeth. Then did Sir Teddidore, and with him his son Kermit the haut prince, fare oversea to the Land of Lyonesse, where they did mect with full many strange aventures, and did slay the Filibuster, the Sagittary, the Jabberwock, the Gerrie- mander which knoweth not his ear from his elbow, the Roor- back which diveth into his lair and pulleth the hole thereof in after him, and the Mollycoddle which flicth tail foremost and so keepeth the sand out of his eyes. Here leave we awhile speaking of Sir Teddidore and speak we of Sir Billitaff that reigned in Amerique and was of merry countenance. Yet eftsoons did his countenance become less merry, for many said that he did not wholly well, but con- sorted overmuch with evil counsellors. And of these coun- sellors one was hight Sir Jokannon de Panatella, an eldern knight. yet of ungodly speech; and one was Sir Ball Ingere which held the Stewardship of the Wild Lands; and yet an- other was Sir Ald the Rich, that dwelt in a hugeous castle which was called Tariffe-Gard And in the donjon-keep of this castle was bred a little worm: and this worm was nour- ished until 1t grew into a mighty dragon which men did call Costo-Fliving. And this dragon, Costo-Fliving, would issuc forth and would waste the substance of the people; yet was no knight so hardy as to slay this dragon, for that he was harbored by that strong knight. Sir Ald the Rich Now to westward dwelt a fair knight whom men called Sir Gifford of the Forest Green. And this knight dreamed a dream. And to him appeared in his vision the blesséd Saint Conservayshon, and showed him how in the Land of Al-Ascar, which licth in Heathenesse, dwelt the wight Wizard Guggen- Morgan, the which was a foul enchanter; and how this Wizard had sent Sir Ball Ingere to lay a spell upon Sir Billitaff that he might be misled by evil counsel. Full wroth was Sir Gifford and straightway rade he a great wallop till he came before Sir Billitaff; and then and there did he impeach Sir Ball Ingere of high treason. Then was decreed a great tournament betwixt Sir Gifford and his BASEBALL TERM A SQUEEZE PLAY comicbooks.com