Life, 1917-07-19 · page 14 of 40
Life — July 19, 1917 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece features a dialogue between "Dame Nature" and an unnamed old woman. The old lady, presented as practical and unpretentious, dismisses concerns about future generations and social progress. When questioned about her views on climate, eugenics, and whether she cares about "Sex," she responds dismissively. The satire targets early 20th-century reform movements—particularly eugenics and social progressivism—by contrasting them with the common sense of traditional rural life. Dame Nature "laughs" at the old woman's lack of system, but the lady's final response suggests that long experience and practical wisdom ("let them all shift for themselves") trumps fashionable social theories. The illustration shows classical river scenery, emphasizing Nature's timelessness against modern ideological concerns.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
94 The Opinion of a Real Old Lady AME NATURE was seen yester- day morning on her farm, just outside of the city limits. Considering her years and the extravagant life she has led, the old lady was looking very well. She was asked what she thought would be the condition of Europe after the war. “T don't know anything about it,” the old lady said, “Iam taking account of the stock of springs and summers I have on hand—I just had to do some- thing about them—and I can’t bother with such things.” “But, don't you have any system about future generations?” Dame Nature turned around at this. “Look here!” she exclaimed, “you are not one of those efficiency cranks, are you? If you are, you can get off the place at once.” On being assured that she was guilty of a misjudgment, she said: “No, I have no system. I believe in taking things as they come.” “Haven't you considered the effect of climate on race?” I should say not.” “Are you a member of the Eugenic “Tf I was, I would go and drown myself in one of my own rivers “Do you mean to say that you take no interest Dame Nature actually laughed at this “What do you think I am,” she said, “a social reformer? Upon my word, what a small un- derstanding some people have! Iso you want to know my invari- ale rul I do.” é “Well, I have been here a good deal longer than you have. I am the hills, and I have the races of men come up and go to experience is th n, more or less obedient whim, a T let th for themselves, and do as I please. That is the sum total of all the wis- dom I have acquired.” m all shift T.L. MM. SLAVES ANCIENT AND