Life, 1920-07-08 · page 26 of 40
Life — July 8, 1920 — page 26: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**The Two Cartoons:** The paired illustrations titled "The everlasting hills" and "The continuous woods" mock Tennyson's romantic poetry by depicting industrial devastation instead. The left shows an explosion at a mining or industrial site; the right shows a lumber mill with clear-cut forest. Both contrast sharply with Tennyson's idealized nature imagery, satirizing how industrial progress destroys the natural world the Romantic poets celebrated. **"Ballade of the Sad Bachelor" (1920):** This poem humorously depicts a poor, unmarried man unable to afford a summer vacation. His only option is a "third floor back" (a cheap, cramped attic room). He laments his empty pockets, failed romantic prospects, and creditors—capturing post-WWI economic hardship and bachelor poverty in humorous verse. **"A Strange Lack" and "The Next War?":** Brief satirical commentary: scientists can predict when coal/oil will run out but haven't predicted when American basements will dry up (unclear reference). The final quote likely mocks patriotic sacrifice rhetoric, with someone joking they'd only give one wife to their country.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“The everlasting hills” “The continuous woods” NOT ACCORDING TO TENNYSON Ballade of the Sad Bachelor These would I pawn where hang the gilt balls three; If it would help I'd sell my family tree, Where’er it is—I haven't any trace! WOULD go summering; yea, feel I must, My luck seems not to be in apogee; Beyond all toil and turmoil, verily, A “third floor back” will be my summering place! Beyond the pavements, with their dirt and dust. ay The question sadly looms—how can it he? ; : etna dt ssa sige Maidens, though once I meant so much to thee, My pocketbook, it terrifieth me : A Whene'er Id 1ok its f Although I ran no matrimonial race, eRe Cos ana, wo coe upoe aac Now Fate is deaf, and will not heed my plea; delacems)to, say; 1 lear to disaster) A “third floor back” will be my summering place! A “third floor back” will be my summering place! f 5 y Clinton Scollard, (in the Year 1920) I know that I can travel not on trust A Strange Lack (Already many a creditor I flee!) ; THT all scientists are cold, calculating, machine-like per- Although I saved my pence and fed on crust, sons, would seem to be effectually disproved by the fact That would avail me not nor set me free, that though we have been informed—with all circumstantial T must have raiment and must pay my fee, detail—of the date when our resources of coal, oil, etc, will Lest I be plunged in dubious disgrace ; have been finally exhausted, none have yet been so kind as to Aye, more and more my hope’s in jeopardy! name a date when the last American cellar will have finally A “third floor back” will be my summering place! gone diy. Daily, like doom, upon my brain are thrust The Next War? The stinging arrows of adversity; ‘I ONLY regret that I have but one wife to give to my coun- My cherished heirlooms that are streaked with rust, try.” comicbookMe i a}