Life, 1920-12-30 · page 3 of 39
Life — December 30, 1920 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page primarily features a letter to the editor from **Henry Irving Newell** advocating for humor and cheerfulness as psychological remedies against wartime despair. The letter, titled "Advises Laughter and Cheerfulness As Antidotes for Spirit of War," argues that maintaining good spirits helps people endure hardship and promotes peace. The left side contains editorial commentary supporting this view, noting how people have grown "stodgy and morose" and need to cultivate a "cheerful LIFE." The small cartoon depicts a **cheerful, exuberant figure** (likely a personification of good humor) with raised arms—visually reinforcing the message about maintaining optimism. The page is primarily **editorial/opinion content** rather than political satire. It reflects early-20th-century Life magazine's advocacy for psychological resilience during wartime.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
HE tendency to grow stodgy and morose is one that most of us who are concerned, not only with our own private affairs, but with the course of our country, need constantly to fight. Mr. Newell has expressed so admirably a sanitary view of life in the letter reproduced on this page that it came to us almost as a shock when we read it, to realize how far short so many fall from this essential attitude. Read the next twelve issues and see if we come near to what you think will meet this demand for cheerfulness, humor and san- itary optimism. Afterall, why not have a cheerful Lit wo Special Offer Enclosed find One Dollar (Canadian $ Foreign $1.40). Send Lire for twelve issues to Open only to new subscribers; no subscriptions renewed at this rate. LIFE, 17 West 31st Street, New York. One Year, $5.00. (Canadian, $5.80; Foreign, $6.60.) Here is a facsimile reproduction of a J) letter that recently appeared in the Newark VG Z News. Advises Laughter and Cheerfulness As Antidotes for Spirit of War To the Editor of the NEWS: = Elv—People often refer to the world os though It were a mythical something that moves in a mysterious way, creating condl- tlons -of a displeasing nature, concerning which public opinion is Invarlably negative and harsh. Brief meditation brings to mind the fect that the condition of the world, pleasing or displeasing. is but the result of actions of the people prompted by their siate cf mentality. With the coming of war a spirit of fight was created within the populace, resulting In R universal: solemnization and individual gloom. The war being over, world-wide con- Gitions call for the exercising of the same degree of persistent effort in ellminating wer thouzht and on absorbing and upbuilding of the spirit of good cheer, to the-end that a universal congeniality may be engendered, Senich will materially aid In the amicable od- Justmert of numerous differences of great import and tho carly realization and enjoy- iment of peace, progress and prosperity. The above means Hving on the “Sunny Side,” where grouches can not exint; where folks, through their own personal efforts, see the brighter and humorous side of things and their faces bespeak happiness, as in days of yore. Let the much used and abused “Hf. C. 1.” signify, in future, “Have a Cheerful Laugh” and “Have a Cheerful Life.” ‘Truly, the world {s what the people make tt HENRY IRVING NEWELL. comicbooks.com HZ