Life, 1916-03-23 · page 46 of 52
Life — March 23, 1916 — page 46: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page mixes political satire with advertising. The "Open Epistle to the Administration" uses biblical language (echoing 1 Corinthians 13) to mock U.S. government foreign policy, particularly regarding "backbone"—a coded reference to perceived weakness in diplomatic stance. The phrase "Attila the Second" appears to reference a contemporary political figure, likely President Wilson, though the satire's specific target remains unclear without fuller context. The repetition of "backbone" suggests criticism of indecisive leadership during a tense period (likely pre-WWI or WWI era). The remainder is straightforward **Vogue magazine advertising**, promoting their Paris Fashion issues at $2 for a year's subscription, claiming it will "save" readers $200 by preventing poor clothing purchases. This was standard early-20th-century marketing: fashion magazines positioned themselves as economical investments for middle-class women making wardrobe decisions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“CEFF E - From an Open Epistle to the Administration HOUGH I speak with the diplomatic tongues of men and of angels, and have not back- T bone, I am‘become to the nations as sounding brass and tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of watchful waiting, and though I have all faith in Attila the Second, and have not backbone, I am nothing. And though I compose mountains of notes, and yet be too proud to fight, it profiteth me nothing. Backbone seldom faileth: but whether there be notes, they shall fail; whether there be watchful waitings, they shall cease to command respect ; whether there be treaties, they shall vanish away, even as scraps of paper. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then cometh pitiless publicity. And now abideth faith, hope, backbone, these three; but the greatest needed of these, at present, is backbone. is now on sale throughout the United States A profusely illustrated number presenting the complete story of the Paris Openings, the successful creations of each couturier which taken collectively establish the Spring and Summer mode. Vogue suggests that before you spend a penny on sour new clothes, before you'even plan your wardrobe, you consult its great Spring and Summer Fashion Numbers. During the very months when these numbers are appearing you will be spending hundreds of dollars for suits, gowns, hats, ete. $2 Invested in Vogue will save you $200 The gown you buy and never wear is the really expensive gown! Gloves, boots, hats, that miss being exactly what you want, are the ones that cost more than you can afford! Why take chances again this year when by simply sending in the coupon, and at your convenience paying $2—a tiny fraction of the loss on a single ill-chosen hat or gown—you can insure the correctness of your whole wardrobe ? Vogue is a beautifully illustrated magazine; the acknowledged authority on what is worn by well-dressed American women, Here are your twelve numbers (and one extra): Paris Openings * March 15 The complete story of the Paris Openings—the successful creations of each ¢outurier which taken collectively establish the mode The Paris Openings Num- ber is already on the news- stands. Ifyouenclose the $2 with the coupon below, we will send you, with our com- pliments, this first compre- hensive description of Paris: fashions for Spring and Sum- mer, making thirteen num- bers instead of twelve. Or, if more convenient, send coupon without money, and we will enter your subscription for the next 12 s, In the Country ®, Spring Fashions Aprill The last word on Spring gowns, waists and accessories Smart Fashions for Limited Incomes ~ April 15 First aid to the fashionable woman of not unlimited means Brides and Summer Homes May 1 A journey “thro’ pleasures and palaces."" News for the bride American Travel May15 Places in our own ‘country well worth a visit at least Summer Fashions June 1 The final showing of theSummer modes that will be June 15 Society takes to sports and life in the open HotWeatherFashions July1 The correct wardrobe for all out: door sports Hostess July 15 ‘Tho newest ideas in mid-summer catertainments London and Paris August 1 War'stricken Europe regains her balance and sends us new and fresh ideas Children’s Fashions Aug. 15 Outfits for the infant and for the school boy and girl Forecast of Autumn Fashions September 1 Advance models gathered at the great Paris Fashion Openings Autumn Millinery September 15 The best one hundred model bats Paris bas produced for the Autumo “*Nine out of ten women copy what the tenth does; the tenth is a reader of VOGUE” For light, tempting and popular afternoon refreshments you cannot serve better than Créme Yvette violet desserts. Delicious ices, charlottes, parfaits and jellies—violet tast: ing and violet coloured. Favorites in select hotels and cafés th; country over. Here is a favorite parfait ByM. £ (Chef at the Cafe des Beaux Arts) PARFAIT Créme Yvette is sold at Soc. and $t.so per bottle, at fancy grocers and wine dealers. Book of signed recipes by well-known Chefs sent free. Write for it to-day, SHEFFIELD COMPANY th at 14th St. New York ( Pronounced Eat ) \ ‘For Smart Desserts, _ What Is an Editor? HE editor is the man upon whom we rely to preserve the standard of literature. Without editors, orthog- raphy, etymology, syntax and punctua- tion would soon fail. The beauty about editors is that they are independent and uncompromising. They yield nothing to the rabble for the sake of profits. If they print blood-and-thunder stories, mushy love tales and _platitudinous essays, it is not to make money, but merely because they know that if. the public doesn’t get this kind of read it will find worse mischief elsewhere. comicbooks.com