Life, 1912-12-12 · page 13 of 48
Life — December 12, 1912 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The page contains two satirical pieces: **"An Affair of Honor"** (top): A caricatured figure in formal dress duels with pistols. The caption suggests a humorous take on a duel where the shooter claims the opponent's skin is "two inches thick" and shots were "bad," justifying bullet extraction as a precaution. **"Diogenes in New York Looking for an American"** (bottom): This references the ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes, famous for searching with a lantern for an honest man. Here, a figure holds a searchlight toward a crowd, suggesting satirical commentary on American morality or integrity—implying such qualities are as rare as Diogenes's quest. The cartoon critiques contemporary American society's lack of virtue or authenticity. Both pieces employ classical allusions for social satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
2441 His House and His Heart H's house is wide and high and long, its walls are thick and hard ana strong; By able hands the floors were laid, By skillful men the stairs were made; Within his house are prizes brought From far-off treasuries of art, But gladness is not in his thought, And peace is never in his heart. His house is splendid to behold, Its roof is high, its turrets bold; Upon a noble height it stands, The view is fair which it commands; Its locks are strong, its treasures rich, His couch is soft, his linen white, But ever in each darkened niche A specter lingers:through the night. His house is big and firm and fair, His vintages are old and rare; “Why, EB ‘ ‘ Great masterpieces grace the walls, -D % u~ . \ ‘ The servants hurry when he calls; x But always he can hear the sighs ses galldectm f Of children toiling at his looms, And mothers with accusing eyes AN AFFAIR OF HONOR Come nightly stealing through the One of the Seconds: NO CAUSE FOR ALARM, SIR. THEY ARE ALMOST OUT OF RANGE, THEIR SKINS ARE TWO INCHES THICK, THEY ARE EXCEEDINGLY BAD SHOTS, AND I TOOK THE PRECAUTION OF EXTRACTING THE BULLETS. DIOGENES IN NEW YORK LOOKING FOR AN AMERICAN comicbooks.com