Life, 1912-08-22 · page 27 of 44
Life — August 22, 1912 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from Life magazine contains satirical commentary on early 20th-century American society: **The Main Cartoon** depicts two nude figures in a pastoral setting, accompanying a poem claiming Ireland (the "Emerald Isle") was the location of Eden—with the joke being that Eve's fig leaf was actually a "shamrock green" (Irish shamrock). This is satire about Irish identity and pseudo-historical claims. **"Farmers" Poem** mockingly catalogs farm chores with heavy irony. The final lines—"things like that which city folks / Can never understand"—satirize the disconnect between rural and urban life, suggesting city dwellers romanticize farming while ignorant of its actual tedious labor. **"Health" Essay** critiques modern American priorities, arguing that pursuit of wealth has replaced concern for health. It sarcastically observes that health requires time away from business, so it's abandoned; doctors are only consulted when it's too late. The piece satirizes capitalist society's devaluing of wellbeing. **"Confidential Guide"** briefly profiles public figures with barbed commentary on their pretensions and contradictions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
It's been known for quite a while, So wise scientists have stated, That upon the Emerald Isle Ancient Eden was located, But I'd draw to your attentio Truth few scholars yet have see That the fig leaf histories ment Really was a shamrock green. Life’s Confidential Guide to Prominent People WARD, MRS. HUMPITRY,—An_ English theological writer, whose purposeful book: have supplied the substitute for religion enjoyed by the people. Ts inst woman. sufira nd therelore has i and still maintaining hi MERRICK, LEONARD.—One of England’ “firest”' novelists. | Also writes sh stories, Is" caviare to the general " but de lightful to. the particular, New edition of his books just published in this country. ROSTRON, CAPTAIN, ARTHUR HENRY. Commander of the Carpathia, and at one time in grave danger of being made an in- ternational hero. (See Hobson, Dewcy. et al.) If he survives will be a historic char- acter, tacking political MILHOLLAND, 1 socialist who ma —A beautiful lady cs speeches and has done more improve the appearance of the so- Gialistic party than any other human being. IAMS, CHARLES D.—This gentle. nan is Rishop of Michigan, has recently become prominent as the advo- jenic system of marriage. He believes that every couple, before they are married, should ‘get a release from the doctor, " Bishop Williams is rot evid dependent upon bis msrrisce fees. Farmers ING a song of farmers, Up at carly morn, With four-and-twenty chores to do Before the breakfast horn. When the breakfast’s over, There's little to be done, Except to plough the fodder And let the harrows run, nd mow the shcep and prune the beets And curry up the swine, And shear the hens and dig the And shoe the gentle kine, And saw the wheat and rake the rye Avd wash and dress the land, And things like that which city folks Can never understand. Health EALTH matter which was once very popular, but it has long since grown into disfavor. In these strenuous days the securing of health consumes altogether too much time. It cannot be acquired without deten- tion from business. Not only does it interfere with business, but with pleas- ure as well. Health requires too much sleep, too much fresh air, too much food of a vulgar simplicity and too many clothes which are comfortable than stylish. Health is like anything else. In order to have it one must give at- tention to securing it, but when the securing of money engrosses all of one’s time, manifestly health must take a back seat. We still have traditions about health much like the traditions about the soul, but these take a sec ondary place. Doctors, like minister are called in only when it is too late. Health made a manful struggle for supremacy with bank balances, but it lost out. is a more A MAIDEN EFFORT comicbooks.com