Life, 1912-05-09 · page 28 of 48
Life — May 9, 1912 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes **King George V and Queen Mary** of England through a fictional "Intimate Interview" dialogue. Two men wearing identical "Charles Evans Hughes whiskers" (a contemporary political figure's distinctive facial hair style) represent George V discussing their royal dissatisfaction. The satire mocks the British monarchy's constraints: they have material comfort but suffer "poor company," tedious official duties, and lack genuine power or originality. One George fantasizes about being "another Henry VIII"—suggesting desire for the absolute authority of that Tudor king. The punchline, "Sh! Mary might hear us," ridicules their subordination to Queen Mary's dominance. The accompanying poetry and humor sections ("Love is Blind," "Easy") are typical Life magazine filler content unrelated to the main cartoon. **Context**: This appears to critique early-20th-century British monarchy as ornamental and powerless—useful only as ceremonial figureheads required to attend endless social obligations among "second-hand monarchs."
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ZY *LIPFE« Intimate Interviews “Sh! Mary might hear us” I N a secluded room in the interior of Buckingham Palace, two men, in the prime of life, each of them wi ing Charles Evans Hughes whiskers, sat facing each other. For some mo- ments neither spoke. Then George V., King of England, Emperor of India and right-hand man of Queen Mary, arose and spoke thus to George V. . “George, are we all that we ought to be?” George, thus addressed, sat for some moments looking solemnly at the ceil- ing. “T know what you mean,” he said. “Are we a figurehead?» Are we a convenient human rack to hang tailor- made clothes upon? Are we a good butler to the kingdom of England? And shouldn’t we be something more? Shouldn’t we be an inspiration and a joy to statesmen? Shouldn’t we have an original idea occasionally? That's the question. What do you think about it?” The other George, thus addressed, was silent. “We have everything we want,” he ommodations. Ample food. said at last. “Good a Splendid bed to sleep Free transportation. ut such poor company! then think, George, of the awful func- tions that we have to attend—balls, visits, inspections. Is it worth while occupying the throne of England when we are obliged to associate with a lot of second-hand monarchs all over the continent? As for me, I'm getting sick of the whole business. I can feel stirring within me England’s old am- bition.” He got up and grasped George by the wrist “Tf T tell you a secret,” he mut- tered, “will you promise never to give What would you give to be another Henry VIII?" Sh! Mary might hear us.” At this moment the door opened and a voice came from the other And George V., hastily grabbing George V., swiftly disappeared. Dreams F you were Queen of Italy And I were King of Tyre, We would forget all misery, Live only for desire. We'd burn the days with golden flames The nights with silver fire, If you were Queen of Italy And I were King of Tyre. If you were Queen of Revelry And I were King of Jest, We'd follow thro’ eternity The maddest dreamer’s quest— The years but little lamps to light— Afar—the vision blest, If you were Queen of Revelry And I were King of Jest. If L were King of Your Dear Heart As you are Queen of Mine, For us, the days would sunbeams dart For us, the stars would shine, For us, the world would be a mart Of eestasy divine— 1f I were ruler of your heart— As you—alas!—of min Leolyn Louise Everett. Love is Blind H Shall we go to’Europe on eur honeymoon, dear? Sue: I want to go awfully. But it seems such a waste of time to miss seeing all those wonderful things. » Easy WFORD: When is a trust not a trust? CransHaw: When it’s up for inves- ation, ONE TOUCH OF NATURE yeeceeerer