Life, 1910-10-06 · page 53 of 60
Life — October 6, 1910 — page 53: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains satirical social commentary rather than a political cartoon. "The Meeting of the Clapperhouses" mocks the verbose self-importance of fraternal and civic organizations that proliferated in early 20th-century America. The joke operates in three parts: First, it catalogues absurdly grandiose titles held by a man and woman—"Lord High Autocrat," "Grand Mogul," "Sultan and Grand Mandarin"—in organizations with invented names ("Orcular Oligarchs," "Millennial Men of Night"). Second, it reveals both characters hold identical prestigious-sounding positions in these societies. Finally, when they meet at a social event, they discover they share the same surname—yet neither has encountered that name outside their own family. The satire critiques how these organizations inflated members' egos with elaborate titles and ranks while remaining isolated, insular communities. The ironic punchline suggests that despite their grandiose self-perception, these societies are parochial and unremarkable beyond their members' narrow circles. The rest of the page is advertisements for Belle Mead Sweets candy and W.P. Willis & Co. woolens.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Sparks From Old Anvils (Continued from page 588) From the Spanish A countryman wrote the following letter to his son, a student in the cap- itl iy Dear Son: This is to tell you that | am very much displeased with the bad conduct which I have been told 1 observe in Madrid. If a good thrashing could be sent by post you would have had several from mez, As for your mother, the good woman spoils you as usual, Enclosed you will dan order for seventy reals, which he sends you without my knowledge. “Your father, “Jou.” The Meeting of the Clabber- huses I, He was the Chairman of the Guild Of carly Pleiocene Patriarchs; He was the chief Mentor of the Lodge Of the Orcular Oligarchs ; He was the Lord High Autocrat And Vizier of the Sons of Light, And Sultan and Grand Mandarin Of the Millennial Men of Night. She was Grand Worthy Prophetess Of the Independent Potentates ; Grand Mogul of the xy Of the illustrious Stay-out-lates ; The President of the Dandydudes, The Treasurer of the Sons of Glee; The Leader of the Clubtown Band And Architects of Melody, Il. She was Grand Worthy Prophetess Of the Ilustrious Maids of Mark; Of Vestals of the Third Degree She was Most Potent Matriarch; She was High Priestess of the Shrine Of Clubtown’s Culture Coterie, And First Vice-President of the League Of the Illustrious G. A. B. — W.P.WittIs & C9 New York or of reputation AS 3 | will tell you that d Snglish woolens alone give to a tailor the foundation for his best work. Imported fabrics bearing the Willis mark cannot be had in ready made clothing. W. P. WILLIS & CO. 166 Fifth ‘Avenue NEW YORK. in Purity There is a defined mark of whole- someness and delicious sweetness about every box of Belle Mead Sweets. They have that delicate and refined taste obtainable only from the richest and purest ingredients. That's why they are just as health- ful for children as grown people. Belle Mead Sweets Chocolates and Bon Bons Flavoring extracts, colorings or substitutes for genuine fruits are never even permitted to enter our Candy Kitchen. Only real fruit juices and genuine fresh sterilized fruits are used—the color they lend to our candy is all the color it possesses. Belle Mead Sweets are put up in tightly sealed dust-proof packages—always fresh—made and shipped to your dealer the day we receive his order. Made in the cleanest Candy Kitchen in the World. Sold only in sealed packages by the better class of druggists. Belle Mead Sweets, Trenton, N. J. She was the First Dame of the Club For teaching Patagonians Greek; She was the Chief Clerk and Auditor Of Clubtown’s Anti-Bachelor Clique; She was High Treasurer of the Fund For Borrioboolaghalians, And the Fund for Sending Browning's Poems To Native-born Australians. TIL. Once to a crowded social féte Both these much titled people came, And each perceived, when introduced, They had the selfsame name. $89 Their hostess said, when first they met: “Permit me now to_introduce My. good friend Mr. Clabberhuse To Mrs. Clabberhuse. “'Tis very strange,” said she to him, “Such an unusual name!— A name so very seldom heard, That we should bear the same.” “Indeed, ‘tis wonderful,” said he, “And I'm surprised the more, Because I never heard the name Outside my home before. (Continued on page $90)