Life, 1916-07-20 · page 35 of 44
Life — July 20, 1916 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The left page contains a satirical poem by Paul Hanna allegorizing the relationship between Law (personified as a sickly woman) and Justice (the "blindfold maid"). **The allegory's point:** Law is portrayed as corrupt and dying from "popular contempt," while Justice—supposedly her rival—represents something purer. The poem suggests that legal institutions have become disconnected from true justice. In a darkly ironic twist, the judges and officials "strangle" Justice to restore faith in Law itself, implying that authorities suppress genuine justice to protect the legal system's legitimacy. **Historical context:** This reflects early 20th-century American skepticism toward legal institutions—concerns about whether laws served justice or merely institutional power. The poem satirizes both legal corruption and the public's dimming faith in courts. **Right page:** Advertisement for Heinz vinegars—unrelated content typical of *Life* magazine's mix of satire and commercial ads.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
‘om book: ied from addressed of aso: The Rivals O' Law, check-stained and char- coal-eyed, Lay in her chambers, ill, While unctuous servants vainly tried Her cold alarms to still. Nine judges sat about her bed, And each one coughed and shook his head. Doctors of Law, profound, intense, Compared her temperature; Anointed college presidents Advanced their favorite cure; And one, who scorned banalities, Applied hot technicalities. They rummaged through the statute books, They scanned the Constitution ; At last, with swift exchange of looks, They hit on this solution: “Her malady, ’s blood! is raw Popular contempt of Law!” “You lie! You lic!” The patient raves And bolts straight out of bed ; While criers, clerks and fat tipstaves All blush a rosy red. For Law had ne'er before, you see, Exposed herself so nakedly. “Contempt of Law! Contempt of me! Is that your reckoning? My rival, Justice, then must be Abroad and beckoning— Will’t never be my fate to miss That meddling jade, my Nemesis! “To arms! All ye that serve me still, This wanton hussy snare! How can ye, while she roams at will, Stand dumb, with vacant stare? Go! Fetch the wench whose balanced scale O'erthrows us all should it prevail!” They scoured far on land, in ships— And trembled lest they miss The blindfold maid whose fragrant lips The people yearned to kiss. They found her in an alleyway, And strangled her at break of day! ee ee Since then, they say, there’s been no flaw In popular respect for Law. Paul Hanna. .HEINZ Vinegars IN ORIGINAL PACKAGES FILLED AND SEALED IN THE HEINZ ESTABLISHMENT PURE MALT VINEGAR PeMMEnTED For delicious French dressing, use any Heinz vinegar with Heinz Pure Olive Oil and the seasoning you like best. Avs now one of the very oldest of the 57 Varieties puts on a new dress and thus makes pos- sible better things to eat for every- one, everywhere. Heinz Pure Vinegars. are now procurable in bottles filled and sealed in the Heinz kitchens. Expert chefs have for years been insisting on Heinz Vinegars, realizing that the aroma, purity and flavor of these Vinegars were the secret behind many of their most tasty dishes. | Now that they are packed in bottles everyone can make sure of the genuine. Heinz Malt Vinegar Heinz White Salad Vinegar Heinz Cider Vinegar Also Spiced Salad and Tarragon Vinegars All Heinz Vinegars may now be had in glass; pints, quarts and half-gallons Olive Oil Such Olive Oil as this can be obtained only from fresh, ripe olives, made under Heinz conditions.