Life, 1915-11-18 · page 8 of 52
Life — November 18, 1915 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece imagines a conversation with a deceased historical figure in the Hall of Fame. The main narrative discusses arguments among dead military leaders—Napoleon Bonaparte and Hannibal are mentioned as "great chums" endlessly debating war strategy, while Lord Nelson and Admiral Porter also feature in these posthumous disputes. The cartoon critiques how historical figures are mythologized and debated by the living. The small illustration shows a hotel clerk collecting payment, with dialogue mocking bureaucratic indifference. The satire suggests that even in death, famous military men remain contentious and argumentative rather than peaceful. The piece gently mocks both the reverence we grant historical figures and their apparent inability to move beyond earthly disputes.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
940 Interviews with Dead Celebrities ] DISCOVERED him sitting on the steps of the Hall of Fame. It was in the silent night. The rays of the moon illumined his pale features, which I thought singularly handsome. I almost wondered at his being there. Evidently he divined my thought, for he said with a smile: “They turned me out. Perhaps you saw—" “Yes,” I said, “I saw. But I wouldn't feel badly about it. It's an honor—if you need any more—for a man like you to be refused admittance to the Hall of Fame.” His kindly eyes gleamed. “T'm not at all disturbed about it,” he said. “In fact, I never even knew there was such a place until they sent for me; then they got to arguing among themselves as to whether I was a fit person or not. But I’m glad to rest here. Only quiet place I found.” “How's that?” I asked. “Well, you see,” he replied, “they are always arguing about the conduct of the war, and one gets fearfully tired hearing about it. Napoleon Bon- aparte and Hannibal—they’re great chums, you know—almost came to blows yesterday about Bulgaria. The other day Lord Nelson and Admiral Porter talked for six hours steady as to the value of the submarine. You ought to hear Cicero go on! Julius ~~ QE ~~ ~~, Hotel Clerk (making out his bill): AND DID YOU TAKE A BATH, SIR? Guest: vy, ISS DER VON MISSING? HER FATHER'S SPITE FENCE Caesar is rather good—but it gets to be an old story after awhile. I often wish I were alive.” “Perhaps I am intruding,” I said. “T did want to ask you your opinion of a few things, but—” “Oh, that’s .all right,” he said re- signedly. “If you're an American, go on, I hear there are a few of them left and they are going fast.” “What do you think of the navies now?” “Tt’s all relative. steel—it doesn’t matter much. question of men.” “And don’t you think we have men now, John Paul Jones?” I fancied he almost grinned. All wood or all It's a “You have Josephus,” he replied, and added, “and Henry Ford. But then, there have always been Jose- phuses and Henry Fords.” “But not always John Paul Joneses, I ventured. “Don’t be so sure of that. Look at the fine fellows you have in your navy!” “The navy which you started,” I suggested. “If it hadn't been for you, how different things with us might be to-day!” Suddenly he began to vanish. Praise was too much for his modest soul. “One word more,” I pleaded. And as he faded he said: “Votes for dreadnaughts.”