Life, 1910-08-25 · page 30 of 40
Life — August 25, 1910 — page 30: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine contains several satirical pieces typical of early 20th-century American humor: **"The Pessimists"** contrasts Pope's optimistic motto "Whatever is, is right" with modern pessimists' inversion: "Whatever is, is wrong"—mocking contemporary social complainers. **"A Happy Marriage"** jokes that a wife is happiest with a husband terrified of her, inverting romantic ideals about marital equality. **"A Bird in the Hand"** depicts a crude exchange where a man views women as commodities to be "kept," while the illustration of a woman and "dollar sign" figure suggests satire on transactional relationships. **"At Oyster Bay"** and **"A Bathing Belle"** are lighter pieces—one about sociological observation, the other a whimsical poem about a woman enjoying the beach. The page also contains a J. & F. Martell cognac advertisement, typical of period magazine revenue. Overall, the content satirizes modern pessimism, gender dynamics, and evolving social attitudes, reflecting *Life's* role as social commentary wrapped in humor.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
WE (a (e) C A Bathing Belle (©) S| VV ) | R She dons a bathing suit of blue, UN = ap And down the beach she goes, rf Grete re : é ¢ With little giggles of delight, =, = : To wet her dainty toes. The Pessimists She dabbles in the briny pools, These words were Pope’s: “Whatever is, She wades along the sand, Is right.” But now the song : <= She races with the merry waves, Of modern pessimists is this: And vows it's simply grand. “ Whatever is, is wrong."” —The Catholic Standard and Times. She lets the ripples of the surf Around her ankles play Good Enough Dy And splashes in the pearly foam, Wire: I suppose if you should meet And frolics with the spray some pretty young girl you would ceasc She counts the silver sails that pass to care for me? Against the distant sky, Hvspaxp: What nonsense you talk! And dances with the billows bright— What do I care for youth and beaut But keeps her powder dry You suit me all right—M. A. P. —New York Times A Happy Marriage 5 z At Oyster Bay Mrs. QuackeNnnoss: Am yo’ daughtah happily mar’d, Sistah Sagg? Mrs. Saco: She sho’ is! Bless good- Soctorocist: Nothing; I'll just sooop ness, she’s done got a husband dat's around a while to see how you live. skeered to death of her!—Woman’s . Home Companion. ye A Bird in the Hand Be this the Woman's Exchanj Yes, Coxtrimutinc Epitor: What do yos want? . —Sun, “Arter all, you know, there is room for both men and women in this world Men have their work to do and women Be-you:tibe:woman? have theirs. It is the woman’s work we to provide for the inner man, and it is 2 p: Him! Then I guess I'l keep the man’s to provide for the outer Wwf Slea BaP lates’: Hecoun: = i my Sal.—Harper’s Bazaar. woman.’'—Globe-Democrat. THE DOLLAR SiGN Live is published every Thursday, simultaneously in the United States, Great Britain, Canada and Building, Chancery Lane. London, land, AGExts. Brentano's, 37 Ave. del'Open.2 British Possessions, $5.00 a year in'advance. Additional postage to foreign countries in the Postal also at Saarbaci’s News Exchanges, 16 John St., Adelphi Strand, \ Ae thyagss Union, $1.08 a year: to Canada, $2 cents. Single current copies, 10 cents. Back numbers, atter three aries 1 Penney allan? Mageste! German Months from date of publication, 25 cents. ed bie aoramnae * ¥. . No contribution will be returned uness accompanied by stamped and addressed enveiope. Live The text and ilinstrations in Live are copyrighted. For Reprint Rights in Great Brieal does not hold itself responsible for the ioss or non-return of unsolicited contrioutions, to Live, 14 Southampton Row, London, } Live is for sale by all Newsdealers in Great Britain. ‘The Internatonal News Company, Breams Prompt notification should be sent by subscribers of any change of address J. & F. MARTELL Cognac (Founded 1715) kK AND FINE OLD LIQUEUR BRANDIES GENUINE OLD BRANDIES MADE FROM WINE OF THE COGNAC DISTRICT micbooks.com