Life, 1919-05-08 · page 36 of 46
Life — May 8, 1919 — page 36: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is satirical commentary on overly strict public library policies. The humor lies in absurdly escalating rules: patrons must keep books six weeks minimum, prove they've thoroughly *read* (not just skimmed) every book, face imprisonment for superficial reading, and submit to written examinations on contents. The final absurdity—a librarian or author visiting your jail cell to quiz you chapter-by-chapter—mocks the notion that libraries should police how people consume books. The satire targets early 20th-century institutions' obsession with control and "moral improvement." Libraries weren't just lending books; they were supposedly reforming readers. The joke suggests this paternalism has become comically tyrannical, treating reading like a prison sentence with mandatory comprehension tests. The page also contains period advertisements (Rameses cigarettes, Orangeine tablets, Cuticura soap)—standard magazine filler of the era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Nobody ever a es cop ES CIGARETTES New Rules for Public Libraries NY resident of the ci bringing acceptable references, may take out books on the following conditions: Not less than six books can be taken out at one time, and these books should not be returned within six weeks. If returned earlier, you will be fined one cent per day per book. No book can be returned until you give satisfactory personal evidence to the librarian in charge that you have really read it. If the librarian finds that you have read it merely super- cially, simply for purposes of enjoy- ment and without deriving permanent benefit, you are liable to imprisonment, accompanied by the book, until you can pass a written examination on the book’s contents. If you should still prove refractory, a member of the library staff will be sent to your cell to read the book aloud Jail druggists; Soap 25, Ointment 2 80, Taleam Sample each free of “Cuticura, Dept. B, Boston.”* to you, and ask you questions at the end of each chapter. If a book is returned to the library clean and without marginal notations, this will be deemed sufficient evidence that the book has not been thoroughly read. It will be no use to keep a book in- definitely, pleading that you are still trying to master its contents, for in this case the author of the book, or a Only Health Keeps Efficiency competent literary critic to your house, at your diagnose your progr. If the librarian deems reading the right kind will select them for you test, the matter will he Supreme Court, consi Robert W. Chamber thews and Harold Bell \ Christop will be. sens Xpense, DU ae tos D0ks, lf you p rred to 3 ler Ma will free you of the tax on your health and efficiency that pain causes. The pain of headache, neuralgia, indigestion, and colds, should be stopped at once, the Doctors will tell you, because pain is a shock to the nervous system that menaces health. It taxes your endurance and causes dangerous over-fatigue. You should stop it atonce. Take wholesome, pleasant Orangeinc, a physician’s prescription that has been helping millions to cili- cient, good health by relieving their pain for twenty-five years. The Physician’s Prescription Is On Every Package so you may “know what you’re taking.” No opiates. Insist on Orangeine. At druggists anywhere for convenience—and in homes everywhere for emergency. Keep it on hand at all times for quick relief. Tablet or powder form. Prices Per Package Powders, 10c—25c Tablets, 15¢c—25c ORANGEINE CHEMICAL COMPANY, CHICAGO |