Life, 1913-02-27 · page 11 of 40
Life — February 27, 1913 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical cartoon titled "Naveyralia" depicts a bacchanalian (drunken, celebratory) scene with allegorical female figures representing American states and regions. The text identifies references to "Uncle Sam" as Silenus, "Columbia as Venus," and "Maenads from the Western Plain"—classical mythological imagery repurposed for American commentary. The figures wear elaborate costumes and carry attributes suggesting wealth and excess. Labels visible include "Maine," "Behring," "Atlantic," and "Company." The poem below criticizes excessive celebration or revelry among American regions, comparing the scene to mythological debauchery. The satire likely critiques either political excess, jingoism, or wasteful spending during a period of American expansion or celebration—though the exact historical moment remains unclear without publication date confirmation.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
-LIFE= [it INAVEVRALIA & {0 What is all this bacchanalia? Dryads from the hills of Maine, 'Tis the Yankee Saturnalia! Fauns, from Behring to Atlantic, Uncle Sam, as old Silenus In a revel corybantic— With Columbia as Venus— Hark!—a pzxan to entice us: Maenads from the Western Plain, “Lo! Woodrow Dionysius.” comicbooks.com