Life, 1918-07-11 · page 22 of 34
Life — July 11, 1918 — page 22: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine contains political satire about prominent figures through mock "horoscopes." **"The Original Air-Raid"** cartoon depicts an early aviation accident, likely referencing the novelty and danger of early flight around 1867. The **horoscopes** mock sculptor **Gutzon Borglum** and writer **Robert W. Chambers** with absurdist "astrological predictions." The Borglum entry satirizes his eccentricity and reclusiveness, suggesting he work in isolation surrounded by clay barrels. The **Chambers entry** references contemporary political figures—**Josephus Daniels** (Secretary of the Navy) and **Albert Burleson** (Postmaster General)—predicting Chambers will gain fame through association with Hearst publications. The satire mocks his obscure status and suggests monastery living. **"Question"** section sarcastically addresses German diplomatic visits to New York during WWI, darkly joking about receptions while asking whether "bombing" would come "first or afterwards"—biting commentary on German-American tensions and anti-German sentiment during the war.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE ORIGINAL AIR-RAID LEE Life’s Horoscopes GUTZON BORGLUM TH gentleman first made a suc- cessful flight, landing in the state of Idaho, March 25, 1867, and imme- diately filed a protest that he was not accorded a full hearing, although it is stated on fairly good authority that the neighhors declared otherwise. His appearance was also attended with many signs, such as mud pies form- ing in the valleys of the Moon, avia- tion experts despondent and the cusp of the Pleiades in flight with Mer- cury. He will do his best work in a large room at the top of any remote house, with a skylight above, and almost completely surrounded by barrels of clay, entirely free from telephones and financial experts. Should never learn to read or write, as it is bound to cause him trouble, and when traveling should wear car muffs and a gag. Will emerge from aviation eclipse in fall of 1918. Should avoid capitalists, plane sailing and Presidents, also Congress, newspapers, politics and prospects. Looks well in a sound- proof suit of overalls. ROBERT W. CHAMBERS ITH Venus sitting in an upper Fifth Avenue kimono holding hands with Saturn, the Dog Star in short pants, Cassiopeia’s chair crowd- ed to full capacity, hearts and dia- monds triumphant and Virgo not at home, this young gentleman was born in Brooklyn May 26, 1865. Although born to obscurity and handicapped by his environment (for the facilities for getting away from his birthplace were not at that time perfected), the planetary indications are that in the spring of 1919 he will be in total conjunction with Josephus Daniels and Albert Burleson, and rise to world-wide fame as one of the three remaining contributors to the Hearst periodicals. He should avoid society queens, artists’ models, literary agents and publishers, confining himself to a light diet of authors’ puffs and fairly pure readin matter. Should live in any first-class monastery six months in every year, and the rest of the time in the basement of Narragansett Pier. Question SPECULATIO3 as to what kind of reception the Germans will be accorded when they visit New York, as they have promised to do this summer. Will it be an afternoon or evening reception? How many bands will be there, and what leading citizens will assist? Will only ice cream and cake be served, or something more substan- tial in accordance with the importance of the guests and to refresh them after their long sea voyage? And will the bombing come first or afterwards? And will the mayor of New York ask ladies to be present? eee a