Life, 1920-06-24 · page 12 of 41
Life — June 24, 1920 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**"Witchcraft"** (top illustration) depicts an old man with a telescope confronting a young woman in a bonnet. The cartoon satirizes Miles Standish, the Pilgrim leader mentioned in the article below, who is "interviewed on the deck of R.M.S. Mayflower" by the Associated Press in Plymouth, Massachusetts on December 21st. The "witchcraft" title suggests Standish represents old-fashioned Puritan attitudes. The telescope implies he's examining or scrutinizing the modern woman—likely referencing his criticism of contemporary American women's morality, which he claims has been "shaken" by modern dances and attitudes. The satire mocks his stern, puritanical judgmentalism against progressive American society.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
IPCHCRAFT Miles Standish Meets the Associated Press dish winked expressively and pointed to his suitease, which bulged strangely “T may be puritanical, and all that sort of thing,” he re- LYMOUTH, Mass., Dec. 21,.—When interviewed on the marked, “but one must draw the line somewhere.” deck of R. M. S. Mayflower, which docked here to-day, He expects to remain in America as long as his supply holds (From Our Special Correspoudent) Miles Standish, prominent Pilgrim father, expressed himself out. R. E, Sherwood. as being highly pleased at the warmth of his reception in —_— America. Mr. Standish, it will be recalled, has come from Bess SIE: There’s something I can’t understand about Dor- England to deliver a series of lectures on the alleged rejigious othy. She's actually beginning to make herself up. persecutions which are said to be prevalent there Maeet (sighing): Ah, well, my dear, you must remem! “Yoar American women are delightful—fascinating.” said that she is two years older than we are. We all come to # Mr. Standish, after he had graciously condescended to pose for in time. his picture in company with a group of prominent film stars who were also on the Mayflower's passenger list. “I have been privileged,” he continued, “to learn many of your quaint dances, including the shimmy, and | may say that my faith in modern ib morality has been considerably * shaken.” The assembled re- porters enjoyed a.hearty laugh at the gelitle witticism,. which ie ieee clearly showed that, even though Mr. Standish is a one-hun dred-per-cent. Puritan in all respects, he is not above enjoy a little joke now and then. The distinguished visitor gave further proof of the fact that he is thoroughly conversant with American affairs when, sub- mitting to a veritable cross-fire of questions, he stated that he believes that * Nickey” Arnstein will be acquitted, that “ Babe” Ruth will fail to duplicate 1919 record for home runs, and that the Pickford-Fairbanks scandal will tend to revolutionize the divorce laws in Nevada. He announced his intention of entering all the limerick contests that are being conducted in the press throughout the country, and stated that his first ¢ jal act will be to visit the Polo Grounds, the Grand Canyon and the Ford Motor Works. He hopes to take them all in in one day. When asked to render an opinion on Prohibition, Mr. Stan- 2" FIRST DIP IN THE OCEAN comicbooks.com