Life, 1912-09-26 · page 37 of 48
Life — September 26, 1912 — page 37: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page mixes **historical satirical poetry about clergy** with **early automobile advertising**. The left side reprints witty 18th-century epigrams mocking clergymen—a common target of satire across eras. One jokes about a preacher whose sermon was so boring that a nobleman fell asleep in church; another puns on a clergyman's name (Dr. "Dent" / penitence). These were genteel jabs at clergy hypocrisy and tedium, reflecting an era when religious figures were fair game for humor magazines. The right side advertises the **1913 Hupmobile automobile** at $975—positioning it as a quality vehicle competing with more expensive cars. The ad emphasizes engineering integrity and invites readers to inspect the car themselves, reflecting early 1900s consumer confidence-building. The juxtaposition is incidental: *Life* was simply a magazine combining humor, social commentary, and advertising without thematic connection between sections. Modern readers might find the clergy jokes quaint while the car ad reads as period marketing.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Epigrams on Clergymen In all ages clergymen have come in for their share of badinage. The following shafts of wit, humor and satire (com- piled by W. Davenport Adams in“ The hook of Epigrams”) have been guthered from various sources. We reprint these selections through the courtesy of the Macmillan Company, publishers of the book. A Court Audience ’ Old South, a witty Churchman reckon'd, Was preaching once to Charles the | Second ; But much too scrious for a Court, j Who at all preaching made a sport. He soon perceiv'd his audience nod, Deaf to the zealous man of God. The Doctor stopp'd; began to call, “Pray wake the rl of Lauderdale: My lord! why ‘tis a monstrous thi | j i You snore so loud, you'll ae the kin —Richard Graves (1715-1804) (An old story versified. Robert South, 1633-1716, was one of the most famous of the old preachers.) —Anon. On Dr. Dent If on penitence bent, you want 10 keep Lent, | Just go to the Foundling, and hear Dr. | Kent, | And I'll be dam'd for you, if you don't ] repent. $ t To Mr. Thomas Sternhold, on the King’s Offering From ancient custom ‘tis (they say) Our most religious King TEE DIRONE CREG. U.S. PATENT OFFICE ) 'HE apptication of medicine in a volatile form. directly to the mucous surfaces of the Respira- tory Tract, is the latest and most successful achieve- ment in the treatment of all respiratory diseases. APPROVED by wt peyuciasa whe have seen it opersoon. Recommended for Catarth, Colds, Asthma, Pad Fever, Bronchitis Tonsilitis, Pneumonia, ete. EACH DISEASE tas 0s ows specie formate NO MEDICINE srpted ty he Revewrone reachen we womach und ibe fl that eran mx wusnered wah et sa dr sey grant at aterm and ‘enare portsase praca wu be Focaded Wires lot Ue The Electric Respirone G 520 Penn Building Cleveland, Ohio This Car Seeks First Honors in Its Class for 1913 106-inch wheelbase P 32 x3)4 inch tires eke motor, 3}4 x 5!4 Hired speeds forward Rea tank Enclosed valves ng Quick ‘detachable rims nd tail lamps Three bearing crankshaft. Center control ohairtop, with envelope ‘TTools-chern Unit power pla Zenith carburetor Windshield Trimmings, black and nickel Mulelpio dice clutch Bosch magneto Rear shock absorber Standard color, black Magneto and camshaft driven by silent Coventry chain. Here is a car at $975 built in accordance with the high code of honur which marks the manufacture of the best cars—cars far above it in price. microscopic analysis you would apply were a larger monetary investment involved. We have pictured in book form some of the processes which justify our belief that this Hupmobile is the best car of its class in the world; and we want you to see and read it. It claims close relationship with those cars—not in size, because it is acar of lesser dimensions, of course—but in all of the ingredients which consti- | tute integrity of construction. We also want you to sec and ride in the car—sam- ples are now in the hands of Hupmobile dealers. It asks to be set apart and judged. not by the stand- ards its price would suggest, but by that more DETROIT, MICHIGAN HUPP MOTOR CAR COMPANY, 1231 Milwaukee Avenue, Does annually upon Twelfth Day Unto the altar bring jd, myrrh, and frankincense—I mean They do devolve by right, Unto the royal chapel’s dean, A certain perquisite. Now, what I'd know is this,—Pray tell, In your opinion, sir, Which to the dean docs sweetest smell, Gold, frankincense, or myrrh? —John Hopkins (b. about 1525). (From “The Honeysuckle,” 1734. Thomas Sternhold (d. 1549) iz celebrated as the co-translator with Hopkins of the G 1873 Psalms of David into English meter. Campbell says of these two writers that, “ mistaking vulgarity for simplicity, they turned into bathos what they found sub- lime.) On Hearing a Lady Praise a Certain Reverend Doctor's Eyes I cannot praise the Doctor's eyes; I never saw his glance divine; He always shuts them when he prays, And when he preaches he shuts mine. —George Outram (1805-1856). comicbooks.com