Life, 1914-01-29 · page 7 of 40
Life — January 29, 1914 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine contains satirical content about wealth and social etiquette. The top illustration, captioned "REFINING INFLUENCE OF WEALTH," shows a couple in a small boat—appearing to depict newly wealthy individuals enjoying leisure activities associated with the upper class. Below is a "New Rule" section mocking customs house regulations and proper behavior among the wealthy. It satirizes petty complaints about rudeness from customs officials. The dialogue between Howard and Coward jokes about library etiquette: Howard boasts that every book in his library bears the author's autograph. When asked how he manages this, he reveals he "never borrow[s] any other kind"—meaning he steals signed copies, turning his pretension into a confession of theft. The rightmost cartoon appears to be a separate seasonal joke about New Year's resolutions, though details are unclear in reproduction.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
REFINING INFLUENCE OF WEALTH New Rule MONG the new rules promulgated by the custom house, we note the following: “Discourtesy or incivility on the part of customs officers should be reported to the Collector of the Cus- tom House or other officer.” This is a fine idea, and ought to be universally carried out. For example, if you are insulted by the conductor of a surface car, lodge a complaint immediately with the motorman. If the saleslady in the ribbon department gazes upon you superciliously and ignores your presence, mention the matter to the saleslady of the perfumery department. If the office boy sasses you, see all the other office boys about it. eo aN autograph. {pos | Cowarp: How do you manage it? Howarp: I never borrow any other kind. The New Year; SMALL 1 WAKE HIM UP? OWARD: Every book in my library has the author's U comicbooks.com