Life, 1919-10-02 · page 40 of 48
Life — October 2, 1919 — page 40: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes the Irish independence movement and the establishment of the Irish Free State. The main sketch depicts George Bernard Shaw (the famous Irish playwright, identified as "G. B. S.") presiding over the inauguration of Éamonn de Valera as president of the first Irish Republic. **The satire's point**: Shaw humorously claims credit for "installing" de Valera in office with characteristic arrogance ("with my accustomed modesty"). The sketch mocks both Shaw's ego and the chaotic nature of Irish political factions—Jeremiah O'Leary (representing republican hardliners) interrupts to denounce the proceedings, accusing ballot-stuffing, before being thrown through a window by angry citizens. **The joke for contemporary readers**: This satirizes real post-independence tensions in Ireland, where different republican factions disputed legitimacy and methods. Shaw's self-aggrandizing role lampoons intellectuals' pretensions to political importance. The page otherwise contains unrelated advertisements (Eastman Kodak, a dog book, and gardening products).
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Between friends— There’s a Fhotographer in Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester N. Y. The Inauguration of Eamonn De Valera in Historical Drama of the First Trish Republic EORGE BERNARD SHAW: Friends and patriots! We are gathered together to-night for a pur- pose of tremendous importance and world-wide significance— Cuorus ov Iktse Crrizens: Whur- cooo! photograph. G. B. S.: ——that of the inaugura- tion of the first president of the first Republic of Ireland — Crrizens: God bless her! G. B. S.: With my accustomed mod- esty [have taken it upon myself to in- stall him in office. Somebody has to do it, you know. Can you think of a better man? Citizens: No, no! Shaw's th’ gos- soon. Whurooooo! G. B. S.: [thank you. To proceed Your Town. (LAD: A DOt By ALBERT PAYSON TERHUNE “The best dog book of ages” Cloth, $1.75 || E.P.DUTTON&CO. 681 Fifth Avenue, N.Y. “WHAT 18 AN IDLE Jest, Pa?” “THERE ARE NO IDLE JESTS, MY soy, THEY ARE WORKING ALL THE THME.” This man, having been chosen as cal candidate to be our first Pres dent— Jeremian O'Leary: ‘Tis a lie! stuffed the ballot with the Hebre vote! Citizens: Who let hint in? um out! Hit um wid a ri is thrown through a closed window.) Always E- Zest The wide wei¥ not press at aa she bose pe A size, style a THE THOS. P. TAYLOR co. comicbooks.conim