Life, 1910-06-16 · page 25 of 44
Life — June 16, 1910 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a satirical narrative in mock-medieval language about "Sir Teddidore" (Theodore Roosevelt) awakening from sleep to find his American realm in disorder. The illustration shows a sleeping figure being rudely awakened by an eagle and news-bearer. The satire operates on multiple levels: **The Setup**: Roosevelt is depicted as a knight who has been traveling abroad (referencing his post-presidency African safari and European tour, 1909-1910), leaving his "realm of Amerique" unattended. **The Crisis**: "Sir Gifford of the Forest Green" arrives with bad tidings from home—likely referencing the Ballinger-Pinchot conservation controversy, where Roosevelt's chosen successor William Howard Taft fired conservationist Gifford Pinchot, angering Roosevelt's progressive base. **The Point**: The cartoon mocks Roosevelt's surprise at domestic problems erupting during his absence, suggesting his chosen heir has mismanaged affairs. The dramatic awakening and immediate re-arming implies Roosevelt must rush back to restore order. The medieval parody tone underscores the grandiose perception of Roosevelt's political importance to American politics.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“I WAS ENJOYING SUCH A NICE, LONG SLEEP” Now was Sir Gifford Ball Ingere was a Sir Teddi- party and Sir Ball Ingere and his party. heavy at heart, for well did he wot that $ shrewd knight; so did he take ship oversea to seck dore. Now turn we again to Sir Teddidore which was come out of the Land of Lyonesse, And first went he to the Country of the Pharaohs, where he did make much stir. Thence pil- grimed he to Roma-Burg, where, in sooth, they did give him the merry del val, as that blithe knight Sir Martin d’Ooley writ in his book aforetime. Yet was he welcomed with great worship by the kings and great lords of Italia and Allemaigne and Gallia and Britaine, for, wot ye well, he was held for the best knight in all the world. And as be sat at meat with all these kings, and eke others, more or less royal, to him hasted Sir Gifford of the Forest Green, crying, Tidings, good my Lord!’’ Then said Sir Teddidore, “Greeting, Sir Gifford. What tidings from my realm of Amerique? Then, Zvil tidings,"’ answered him Sir Gifford, and told him all that had chanced. bs " said Sir Teddidore, and spake no word more, but straightway armed him and took ship again to Amerique. Now the first city in the Land of Amerique as one comes up from the Eastern Sea is the Turbulent Town of Gotham, where men do rush hither and thither at great speed and for no boot whatsoever. Here landed Sir Teddidore, whereat they of Gotham rejoiced exceedingly and slew for him the fatted Beef Trust and made great feast. And now Sir Teddi- dore called unto him [Desunt cetera}. comicbooks.com -