Life, 1914-03-26 · page 7 of 41
Life — March 26, 1914 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes the legal profession through humorous definitions. The top panel shows silhouetted lawyers in a courthouse performing exaggerated gestures, illustrating terms like "Case," "Probate," "Court," and "Jury." The definitions mock legal jargon and practice: a "Case" is what you pay lawyers for repeatedly; "Probate" is where lawyers rest while waiting for money; "Court" protects the rich; "Jury" describes twelve people who don't understand what's happening. The bottom illustration shows a tango lesson, captioned "Tango Professor: Now remember, Mr. Thompson! Nick like a Swa-an, foot like a Fairy"—likely satirizing pretentious dance instruction or social climbing. The overall message critiques lawyers as parasitic, the legal system as class-biased, and the era's affectation toward European sophistication.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Our Handy Legal Manual Cs Something ‘you pay your lawyer to have the courts postpone from time to time until nobody cares whether it is decided or not. Propate: A place where lawyers rest while they are waiting to get the money. Court: A place where the rich go for protection. Jury: Twelve men who don’t know their own minds, interfered with by a judge whose duty it is to let them decide for themselves. Rereree: Any man with the highest reputation as a good guesser. Retainer: The first hold-up. Catenpar: A graveyard of justice. Arrorney: What you think yourslawyer is. Lawyer: What you think your attorney is. Jupce: The official representative of the laws’ delays. Apreat: What you usually do if you have any money Tango Professor: NOW REMEMBER, MR. THOMPSON! NECK LIKE A SWA-AN, FOOT LIKE A FAIRY