Life, 1912-08-01 · page 22 of 40
Life — August 1, 1912 — page 22: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a satirical society column mocking Newport's elite. The text uses absurdly invented names—Plantagenet Pinhead, Percy Galoot, Pluto Bulge, Mrs. Goodbye Morralls—to ridicule wealthy socialites and their pretensions. The humor targets their obsessions: name-dropping lineage ("Rhode Island Posers"), conspicuous consumption (Mrs. Morralls's marble cottage), and hollow social rituals. References like a man costing $1.2 million to "get rid of" his wife's count suggest satirizing the era's transactional marriages among the wealthy. The accompanying cartoons ("Blessed are the Meek," "For They Shall Inherit the Earth") reinforce the critique through ironic juxtaposition—contrasting Christian virtue with the selfish materialism depicted in the column. Life magazine regularly used such "Society" parodies to mock upper-class vanity and superficiality during this period.
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HE Casino this season is unusually brilliant, and all the tennis matches well attended. Probably no- where in the world could one find a more distinguished assemblage. Mr. and Mrs. Tawkall Knight, for instance, and Mr. Dedleigh Bohr and the Tire- liss Gadders are always there. And last Saturday, chatting with various groups just like any ordinary person, was Plantagenet Pinhead. You would never have suspected, in watch- ing him, that this was the man who first wore linen spats with evening dress. His mother was one of the Rhode Island Posers—a fine old fam- ily. And Percy Galoot is often seen about the Casino. Percy’s reputation as a wit really dates from the day of his famous pun on Montagu Bradish. Bradish was driving a pair of fast bays when Percy said, “They are smarter than horse-bradish.” All the Galoots are intellectual. Mr. Pluto Bulge entertained a party of twenty at lunch last Monday. Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. James Bullion Reno, Miss Fun- nie Record, Mr. Midway Bulge, a brother of the host, and Mrs, Lucely Bound. Mrs. Goodbye Morralls is contrib- uting largely to Newport gaiety. Al- though the west wing of her cot+ tage is not over one hundred feet in width, it afforded ample space for a delightful féte last Thursday. The walls of white marble and the tall, malachite columns of the rustic porch were beautifully illuminated. This cottage is, of course, only a temporary abode. Mrs. Goodbye Morralls is, as everybody knows, one of the Eaton- Drynkers of Baltimore, all charming people and natural born social leaders. Her separation last winter from her second husband caused considerable comment at the time. General Brow- ser’s name was mentioned, also’ that of Mr. Freeleigh Spooner, but perhaps there was nothing in it. Her friends maintain that Mr. Goodbye Morralls himself is no example for Sunday- schools. .But Newport is not fussy about those things. The Freddy Koopons have opened their villa, | Munnymore-by-the-Sea, and intend giving a garden party this month, It will celebrate the return from Europe of their daughter, Fris- kie, who has finally secured a divorce from the Count Buveur Gambleville d'Impecunios. Her mother made the match, which turned out surprisingly well, even for a love match. Mr. Freddy Koopon says it cost him only $1,200,000 to get rid of the count. Mrs. Alexander Richernmud was seen on the Cliff Walk yesterday. She wore clothes. Mr. Dyer Thyrst is visiting his uncle, Mr. Fullern A. Goat, at Booze Villa. Mr, Thyrst, it will be remem- bered, married Miss Flirtie Sport of Kentucky. She lived with Dyer nearly two months. It was a very pretty sight yesterday when Mrs. Saymold Bluff drove up to the Casino on her own coach. She handled the ribbons well, and was rav- ishingly gowned in pale lilac to match her’ camplexion. On the seat beside her, sat General Electric, and it is whispered that Dan Cupid is busy up there, The General always did love a lively widow. » Collar Van Doolittle is also ‘attentive in that quarter—so rumor has it. Mr. and Mrs. Bullifat Inkum are off on their yacht Spenda, and will not be at Newport again this season. Among their guests on the cruise are Dottie Kissam, Mrs. Redd Painter and Mr. Samuel Hoopitupp. Lord Gonbroke is visiting the Loot- Boodlers. The marriage of Miss Sadie de V. Galore, only daughter of Hon. Bonds Galore, to Mr. Herbert Wuntwork took place last Tuesday at Bangham- on-the-Snowt, the summer home of the bride's parents. The bride wore a white dress, with a black picture hat the size of a carriage wheel. It con- cealed the shape of her head, neck and shoulders, and was most becom- ing. E Mrs, Reginald Muchinprint gave a dinner last Saturday to announce the engagement of Baron Gottinhimmel von Rhynderpest to her niece, Miss Marjory Clinger, of Clingville, Va. Miss Marjory’s mother was one of the Virginia Creepers. “BLESSED ARE THE MEEK | MONDAY | FOR THEY SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH* comicboodee