Life, 1914-05-28 · page 32 of 44
Life — May 28, 1914 — page 32: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines advertising with satirical commentary. The left side promotes Harry Vardon's golf insights—Vardon was a legendary British professional golfer whose opinions on American golf and golfers are presented as authoritative. The ad teases readers with the promise of surprising answers about America's greatest player. The main satirical piece, "At the Cross Roads," depicts an encounter between Anglo-Saxon and Latin civilizations as equals debating cultural superiority. The Anglo-Saxon claims modernity and manners; the Latin civilization counters that it invented Rome and civilization itself, and sarcastically questions whether Americans even know their "A, B, C's"—suggesting intellectual inferiority despite surface polish. The satire mocks American cultural pretension and competitive anxiety toward European heritage. The remaining content is advertising for Evans' Ale and lawn tennis terminology, typical of the magazine's mixed commercial-editorial format.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
i i | i Read What - VARDON Says About American Golf JUNE GverybodyseWhagazine Golfers Golf Courses WERE’S the opportunity of a lifetime if you're a golfer. Read what the world’s greatest professional has to say about American golf and golfers. Some of his criticisms may astonish you, but his advice will surely bring hope to many a forlorn soul struggling with the “dimpled pill.” And who do you think is the greatest player in America, ac- cording to Vardon? We'll bet our best putter you'll get a surprise. LAWN TENNIS TERM GETTING CAUGHT OUT OF POSITION At the Cross Roads TH = two civilizations met and talked it over, Said the Anglo-Saxon civilization: “You have much to learn from me.” Said the Latin civilization: “Perhaps not so much as you have already learncd from me.” “T don't quite follow you.” “And yet following me has been your practice for many centuries. 1 evolved Rome and spread the idea of Rome over the known world. You clubbed me into obedience, and then went to school to me.” “But that was some time ago, and it was over in Europe. Now things are somewhat different. There is much for me to teach you now.” “You think so?” “Yes. I freely admit that your man- ners on the surface are infinitely more polished than mine. I freely admit that as a diplomatis: you have me beaten to a frazzle, but there are other things besides diplomacy and perfect manners; such things, for instance, as soap and water.” At this the Latin civilization curling his mustachios pleasantly and smiling between his singularly white teeth, said, with a slight shrug of his shoulder: “Why, my friend, you don’t even know your A, B, C's.” Yachting and Motor Boating Can be made doubly enjoyable if there is on hand a supply of good old vans’ “Made for a yacht,” is the most apt way to put it Fills the bill as nothing else will. Knocking around won't hurt it. Always ready to promote good cheer. Oréer NOW trom your sapply man or (. H, EVANS & SONS, Established 1786 HUDSON, N.Y.