Life, 1913-03-27 · page 46 of 60
Life — March 27, 1913 — page 46: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising**, featuring Lyon & Healy's music business promoting pianos, harps, band instruments, and mandolins as "World's Largest Music House." The decorative art nouveau design dominates the layout. The only non-advertising content is a brief historical anecdote titled "Libel in Russia" describing an alleged 18th-century Russian punishment method. According to the text, a St. Petersburg author who published a pamphlet criticizing the Tsar's absolute power was sentenced to literally eat his own book—pages were rolled like lottery tickets and force-fed to him via bastinado (beating) if he refused. **Context for modern readers:** This passage reflects Western fascination with Russian authoritarianism and legal brutality. Whether historically accurate or exaggerated, it served contemporary readers as evidence of Russia's despotic governance. The gruesome image of forced consumption of one's own words dramatized the dangers of criticizing autocracy—a theme relevant given Russia's reputation for suppressing dissent. The anecdote appears disconnected from surrounding content, likely included as a curiosity piece typical of Life's satirical-magazine format.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Ct de ? Chicago Home : of the Steinway Piano Sp ON SHEALY [xv Lyon & Healy Piano Hi For near! Band Instruments ly fifty years our Cornets, Trombones, Drums, four great point is superb piano presents Write for catalog and name of nearest dealer, Lyon & Healy Harp Used by pearl; harpist of ‘America, among whom wi may be m im. Posse, Flutes, Clartonets, ete..have been the standard. There arc more Lyon & Healy Horns in use today than there are of all competing makes combined. We issue a complete Band Catalog which gives an immense amount of valuable infor- mation. Washburn Washburn Piano Made by Lyon & Healy. A first-class instrument in every way. Tone rich and powerful. Cases of choice mahogany or the new shade «foak. ‘The leading popular- pirctetane of Americe: May seen in over 250 local sales- rooms. Write for catalog and name of nearest dealer. ‘A copy may be obtained for the asking. Washburn Harp This great popular- rice instrument is made by Lyon & Healy. There isa style at only $400 (Double Action.) Noharp in the world equals the Washburn save only the Lyon & Healy, Write for Catalog. fall the wrest wrope and jentioned: Alfred Holy, rang Poialtz, LM. ‘eochi,Bameral Fr fj tes, Zabel, Zamara, En- ff ; ried TramontiCarlo & Saizedo, Domine se Alter doteph Vito, rite to wa for a SP deautVuletaleg. Sar! Rare Old V; Cervan- ‘ ==) D 1 O. A superb collection including fine old instruments of mellow tone from $50 up_ to $10,000. Beautiful Catalog free. PIANOS, HARPS, MANDOLINS, GUITARS Washburn Mandolins rs an These world famous in- struments are sold wher- ever there is a music store. Preferred by all leading Col- Clubs. Popular styles at $15.and $25. Write for catalog and name of nearest dealer. Lyon & Healy Goods are sold by over 14,000 local dealers. They are thestandard of Excellence. Insist upon getting our brands, We sell “Every- thing Known in Music.”” Libel in Russia (The following curious manner of pun- ishing those guilty of a libel cas once practised in Russia.) We complain very heavily of the men who write libels, but the method we take to punish them has not the effect which is intended. It does not deter the offenders nor terrify others from committing the Imprisonment, _pillory, burning the libel, and some other things of the same sort, are what these gentle- men carnestly desire; it saves them the expense of advertising. They manage these things differently in Russia. A gentleman in St. Petersburg thought fit to publish a quarto pamphlet, reflecting upon the unlimited power of the sov- ereign, and exposing the iniquity with which it was exerted. The offender was immediately seized, by virtue of a war- rant signed by one of the principal off- cers of state, was tried in a summary way, his book determined to be a libel, and he himself, as the author, con- demned to eat his own words. The sen- tence was literally carried into execu- tion. A scaffold was erceted in the most public street in the town, the imperial Provost was the executioner, and all the inferior magistrates attended the cere- mony. The book was severed from the binding, the margins were cut off, and every leaf was rolled up in the form of a lottery ticket when it was taken out of the wheel at the Guildhall. The author was then fed with them separately by the provost. The gentleman had re- ceived a complete mouthful before he began to chew; but he was obliged, upon same crime. pain of the severest bastinado, to swal- low as many of the leaves as the at- tendant surgeon thought it possible for him to do, without the immediate hazard of his life. Sheet Music Largest and most com- lete stock of Sheet Music and books in America. Catalogs free. LYON 8 HEALY, 21-37 B. Adame St., Chicago: 2 ¢ CVictrolas A complete stock of these charming instru- ments which bring the voices of Caruso, Ruffo,Schu- mann-Heink and other great artists to your fireside. From $15 to $200. Catalog free. YON 8 HEALY, 21-37 B.Adams St.,Chicago Music House “THE hisie personal touch that makes you stand apart from the ves ranlines distiac aracter. hatin 100 “ie with Your Monogram for $00 for $9.00 AXTISTICALLY engraved in. gold atthe price of plain tat AM facrast smokes oftmooth Mend, selected, miliy Turkish rolled toot your eapecial fancy. Tipe of gob sllver,cork, straw or plaln Enclose 82 Ulin leter, print tatias plainly. select style V5.8 ber and see how pleased you will be with them. Or. send Pe for Vaasi= pis bones gach Containing S cieareyen of ¢diferet tien aml show, ig lilerent 1 ‘monograms. Special cigarettes for Clubs a2 Fraternities at whotesse prices. Wee today = oy APOLLO BROS., inc.,311 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. Why of Course said the salesman. What number do you “ Stockings?” “Yes, ma'am, wear?” “What number?” snapped the stern- visaged lady. “ Why two, of course. Do you take me for a centipede?” —Ledies’ Home Journal. “Wuar sort Wombat?” “ He's what we call an Ibsen expert.” “An Ibsen expert?” “Yes; he makes some mighty queer plays."—Cincinnati_ Enquirer. 646 of a bridge expert is We have for Hire the Best Open and Closed Automobiles for British and Con- tinental Motoring at the most reasonable inclusive tariff in Europe. @.Thefifthanoual edi- tion of “Throweh Eng Satotbes our trican Mailed Free on 56-60 Me Post Buildings The Sitend: Leadon. England comicbooks.com