Life, 1915-12-02 · page 45 of 100
Life — December 2, 1915 — page 45: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents two satirical pieces mocking institutional hypocrisy: **"When They Met"** depicts an allegorical conversation between the Throne (monarchy/secular power) and the Pulpit (organized religion). The satire suggests these institutions—historically intertwined and mutually supportive—have drifted apart as their influence wanes. The Throne nostalgically recalls its authoritarian past ("cutting off heads"), while the Pulpit claims moral superiority for restraining such excess. Their knowing exchange implies complicity: the Pulpit was actually "a side-partner" to the Throne's abuses. The joke is that organized religion will "outlive" monarchy because it's better at controlling people through faith rather than force. **"If They Told the Truth"** mocks social hypocrisy through contrasts between what people say and actually mean—husbands making excuses, hotel staff admitting they overcharge crowded guests. The cartoon "A Hasty Pudding" reinforces this theme. Together, these pieces satirize how institutions and individuals obscure truth through comfortable falsehoods, set against the Christmas irony of "no room at the inn."
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Christmas Life “There was no room for them in the inn.” When They Met “ITT seems singular,” said the Pulpit to the Throne, “that two such important powers as we are, who have had such an immense influence on the course of history, should meet so seldom.” “Especially,” replied the Throne, “when one considers how we used to be such close friends. But I haven't been feeling very well lately, and somehow we have drifted apart. Are you as hearty as you were? In the face of this raher deprecatory insinuation, the Pulpit maintained his usual solemn dignity. “1 don't know, my friend,” he replied, “that I am living any more in the past than you are.” “We're both a couple of back numbers,” said the Throne, “ but I can't complain. I had my fling—and a good one it was. I made things hum while I was on top. It was, ‘Here, people, do this,’ and ‘Run along, little prole- tariat, and work some more.’ How I did enjoy cutting off heads, and breaking up families and raising Hell gen- erally!” “And me trying to keep it down,” protested the Pulpit. But the Throne nudged him with a touch of the old-time joculari “Tut, tut, my boy! You were with me as a side-partner much of the time. Now, you know you were. Well, I must run along, and dress for dinner. They use me now for social functions, you know, But my days are num- bered. Come now, be honest. Tell me truly, will you outlive me The Pulpit smiled knowingly, and nodded his head. --St. Luke, “My old friend,” he replied, “yes, 1 shall outlive you. You see you can't tell them anything that they cannot dis- prove by experience. But I can If They Told the Truth “HOW homely your wife grows!” “My dear, what do you suppose my score was this morning? One hundred and forty-nine for eighteen holes.” “T won't be home till late to-night, darling. I'm going to paint the town red with a couple of old college chums.” “Yes, sir, the hotel is pretty full, but I can give you what we consider the worst room in it for a little more than the same price you would pay for a good one if we weren't so crowded.” ( €1-kSs A HASTY PUDDING comicbooks.com