Life, 1913-01-02 · page 41 of 44
Life — January 2, 1913 — page 41: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a satirical poem reviewing Franklin P. Adams's book *In Other Words*. Guiterman playfully attacks Adams—a well-known humorist and writer—for his hypocritical literary criticism. The satire works on two levels: First, Guiterman notes that Adams makes his living critiquing others' verse while writing mediocre poetry himself (the jab about "Life Insurance" suggests Adams's day job). Second, Guiterman catches Adams committing the very grammatical errors he condemns in others—particularly forcing "Kienale" to rhyme with "golly," and "forchead" with "torrid." The conclusion is mock-magnanimous: despite these flaws, Adams is talented ("Hybla's bees / Distilled the dew his lips are wet with") and his wit runs deep. It's the literary equivalent of the backhanded compliment—praise that highlights the subject's pretensions and failures. This reflects *Life* magazine's tradition of witty, insider critiques of contemporary literary figures.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“RIE: Evening Beverage Welch's brings back the autumn days the long winter evenings © cheerful when you gather about the fireside or the reading table. It holds the perfect October richness and _ ripeness of the finest Concord grapes. It fits right in with pop- ping corn, cracking nuts, making candy and all the other fun of the old and young folks. Welch's “Che National Drink” For the luncheon, dinner or reception in your h ining days of your club Welch’sis a zestful and distinguishing feature. Do more than ask for “Grape Juice’ Say ‘*Welc! and GET IT Order a case and keep your home supplied. If unable to get Welch's of your dealer we will sbi. @ trial dozen bottles, expres prepald east of Omaha, for $3. Sample bottle, malted, 10c, Write for our free booklet of recipes, The Welch Grape Juice Co., Westfield, N.Y. Weleh's ts the ONLY grape jutce recommended tn the Westfad (Mass,) Book of Pure Foods | The Passenger Pigeon The only single book devoted solely to this now extinct bird } bound in cloth, st rnped in gold, size 694 x 084 inches, 225 bages. Mlusteat rice $3.00 net. Postage prepaid. Sup- pied by the Author, ° W. B. MERSHON SAGINAW, MICHIGAN AS A SLEEP PRODUCER To the author of ““A Plain American in Englan “Lastevening I read your book until T cried, and then sept tt hours. “Fine this morning.” — Jou Wittiass. ‘As the book only costs soc in all bookstores, this indicates that deep sleep can be had at less than sc an hour. Doubleday, Page & Co., Garden City, N. Y. Rhymed Reviews In Other Words (By Franklin P. Adams. Doubleday, Page & Co.) You know this—who's this—F. P. A.? A clever guy, believe me, Mawruss, What makes a living gettin’ gay With that there Latin feller, Haw- russ. Though reams of paper white as curds He spoils with lively, slangy lyrics. His last offense, “In Other Words,” Shall draw from me no panegyrics. For why? Because when Others write This Adams lifts his little hammer And whacks away with keen delight At petty faults in verse or grammar He's even japed with ME at times- A thing that plagues me past’ en- durance, For 1 was writing Deathless Rhymes When he was writing—Life Insur- ance! But now—ha! ha! -revenge 1 swear! My time has come! With laughter horrid Triumphantly I do declare That “forchead” does not rhyme with “torrid,” Nor “false” with “halts” — nor “wince with “ squints.” To damn such minor slips is folly? But look! this Adam person prints “Kienale” as a rhyme to “golly”! He wants a word to wed to “themes” But will not zealously pursue it, So “triremes” needs must read “ trirémes "— Now, honest, did he ought to do it? And yet I'll own that Hybla’s bees Distilled the dew his lips are wet with; He sings as sweet Chicagoese As any bard that I have met with. His verse is clear and true; and lit With sparkling mirth you'll ever find it. Good sooth, he hath a pretty wit, And something deeper lies behind it So young, so famed, so wise in lore !— Permit me, gentle Sirs and Madams: Though probably you've met before, I'm introducing Mr. Adams. Arthur Guiterman, LAMAGIS oe a or Increase Your Weight —Perfect Your Figure Become my pupil and I will make you my friend. Devote fifteen minutes daily to my system and you can weigh what Nature intended. You can reduce any part of your figure burdened with superfluous flesh or build up any part that is undeveloped. The effect cf my_ system can be concentrated on your hips, waist, limbs or any other portions of your body. My system tends to make a figure perfectly pro- portioned throughout—a full, rounded neck; shapely shoulders, arms and legs; a fine, fresh complexion; good carriage with erect poise and grace of movement. You Can Improve Your Health My system stimulates, reorganizes and regenerates the entire body. It helps transform the food into good Tich blood. It strengthens your heart, lungs and other organs, benefiting all weaknesses and disorders, and rrnerating vital force. My latest book, “The Body Beautiful.” should be read by every woman and [ will send it to you free. It explodes the fallacy that lack of beauty or health cannot be avoided. Init I explain how every woman can be VIGOROUS, HEALTHY and ATTRACTIVE. I have practised what I teach. In childhood I was puny and deformed. I have overcome all weaknesses by my own natural drugless methods. Millions of people have seen in me a living demonstration of my unique system of health culture and body-building. If you are weak, nervous, fat, thin, unshapely. tired, lacking vitality or in any other respect not at your very best, I can surely be of service to you. My Guarantee: Wish my free book, “The Body Beastial” which is Tally illustrated with photographs of myself explaining my aystem. 1 give (ull partic. Glare of my Guarantee Trial Plan, whereby you fan test the value of my instruction without Tiaking 8 single penny. Send two-cent stamp for “The Body Beautiful” and Trial Plan to-day ANNETTE KELLERMANN Suite 901L 12 W. 31st Street, New York comicbooks.com