Life, 1913-06-26 · page 16 of 45
Life — June 26, 1913 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes the affectations and eccentric habits of famous writers and intellectuals. The cartoon mocks pretentious creative types by depicting their absurd working conditions: - **Cyril Swansdowne** requires a sirloin while writing - **Sebastian Murphy** insists on warm water for his essays - **Lamphrey Weegul** dictates novels while asleep to his typist-wife - **Professor Bjon Jbugstrong** thinks faster on a swing - **Salonica Loostrings** demands ermine and jewels to work The joke is that these celebrated figures attribute their success to ridiculous, self-indulgent "requirements"—suggesting their reputations are inflated nonsense rather than genuine talent. The satire critiques both the pretentiousness of intellectuals and the public's willingness to accept their absurd justifications for creative eccentricity. It's early 20th-century social commentary on artistic vanity.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Sebastian Murphy, the great essayist, has written his best. works in warm water. Lamphrey Weegul, the celebrated novelist, married a typist. and dic- tates his books in his sleep. Salonica Loostrings, the eminent authoress, cannot Professor Bjon Jbugstrong, work save in ermine and jewels, noted psychologist, — thinks faster in a swing. TEMPERAMENT comicbooks.com