Life, 1910-08-11 · page 30 of 40
Life — August 11, 1910 — page 30: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains several humorous short pieces typical of early 20th-century satirical journalism: **"No Wonder"** is a poem listing modern conveniences and problems (automobiles, show girls, cocktails, newspapers, tariffs, fashion) that didn't exist in ancient times, concluding that ancients thought the world flat because they lacked these distractions—implying modern life is absurdly complicated. **"A Born Pessimist"** depicts working-class characters discussing a crying baby with dark humor about life's miseries. **"The Ruling Passion"** presents an anecdote about an actor so consumed with theatrical concerns that even mourning his father becomes about audience size and production quality—satirizing theatrical egotism. **"Self-Confidence"** is a brief anecdote where Matthew Arnold claims superiority to Thomas Carlyle by asserting he is "dogmatic and right" while Carlyle is "dogmatic and wrong"—poking fun at intellectual vanity. The page also features a large **J. & F. Martell Cognac advertisement** and a cartoon titled "Engaging the New Butler" (caption suggests recognizing someone's face), illustrating a domestic hiring scene.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ORS AVE. Nyllv) Zot RoE “What child?” No Wonder The ancients thought the world was flat: I'm really not surprised at that; We'd find it flat, I dare to sa: If we were living in their day. Just think, they had no autos then, No show girls to delight the men, is the No pipes to smoke and no cigars, No cocktails served at handsome bars, No bridge to play and no pink No liners speeding o’er the No yellow journals and no flats, teas, seas, No women’s monstrous picture hats, No tariff problem to attack, No gowns that button up the back, No end-scat hogs with manners No monkeying with the price of bills, no cold-storage egg 9 steerers and no yeggs, cars with cl ad whir, No Teddy to keep th Say it any wonder t astir ancients thought the world was flat? —Vancouver Pre ously in the United States, Great Pritain, Canada and Additional postage to foreign countnes in the Postal Single current copies, 10 cents. Hack numbers, alter three ication, 25 cents,” ? retmrned unless accompanied by stamped and addressed envelope. docs not hold itself responsible for the loss or non-return gf unsolicited contributions ris for eale by all Newndealers in Great Briain. The International News Company, Breams Lire A Born Pessimist baby “T dunno; ‘e’s alw'ys crying. came acrawst any one wot looks upon the dark side of things as Self-Confidence Some one complained to Matthew Ar. nold that he was “getting as dogmatic as Carlyle.”” “That may be true,’ he replied, “but you overlook the obvious difference, | am dogmatic and right, and Carlyle is dogmatic and wrong! ""—Youth’s Com crying for, my panion The Ruling Passicn Kirke La Shelle met an actor ticed that he was wearing a band on his arm. “T's for my father,” plained. “I’ve just funeral, I never and no ourning *e does." —Punch come elle expressed his The actor's grief was obvious! “T attended to all arrangements," he said. everythi just as father w liked it : “Were there many there? Shelle Many there!" cried the pride. “Why, my boy, we otis Journ and g' asked La ‘or, with urned ‘ex “T acer your husband in town; ke was very much elated villain!) He told me he woali another drop never take Honstos . Adelphi Send. VW.Ce Lond Mayence, Germany. righted. For Reprint Rights in Great Bris also at Saarba Firenze, Mila The text and illustrations in Live are coy to Live, 1 Southampton Row, London, W J.& F. MARTELL Cognac (Founded 1715) AND FINE OLD LIQUEUR BRANDIES GENUINE OLD BRANDIES MADE FROM WINE OF THE COGNAC DISTRICT Sole een NICHOLAS & CO. New York G.S. ENGAGING THE NEW BUTLER WHERE HAVE I SEEN THAT FACE BEFORE?