Life, 1921-04-14 · page 28 of 36
Life — April 14, 1921 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes literary market trends and includes humorous social observations. The right column features "Our Foolish Contemporaries," a regular Life feature mocking contemporary absurdities. **Key sections:** - **"The Book Market"**: Christopher Morley parodies stock-market reporting applied to authors' sales, treating writers like commodities. Conrad, Amy Lowell, Harold Bell Wright, and others are evaluated for market performance—satirizing both publishing trends and financial speculation language. - **"But What On!"**: Mocks a schoolgirl's tactless toast to teachers, ending with "long may they live, but—what on?" (implying teachers are underpaid). - **"A Masculine Helen"**: References Charlie Schwab's appearance in a "Handsomest Man Contest," joking that his face "launched a thousand ships" (Helen of Troy allusion), suggesting ironic skepticism about the comparison. The advertisements (Holeproof Hosiery, Egyptian Deities cigarettes) occupy the left side. The overall tone is gentle mockery of contemporary literary and social pretensions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
HOLEP! Ffolg leproot fasierg ROOF meeta the hosiery specifications of millions of men because it com- le with tervicenbility, In Holeproof you get all the lustre, shapelineas, 8 that any hose possess, with twice the durability of most. Offered in lk and Liste, and Lusterized Lisle styles for men and women. ERY COMPANY, Milwaukee, FS EY EY es ily, i vA) ROU UNA EGYPTIAN & I i DEITIES i : ae “The Utmost in Cigarettes” y Plain End or Cork Jip People of culture and refinement invariably PREFERD Deities to any other cigarette Pet ty tS = E = Fe = OUR FOOLISH CONTEMPO ARIES <i * ig The Book Market We like to imagine a‘ report of doings ia the book trade if written in the vein of the other market reports, Thus: Conrads were steady and showed h vitality. Amy Lowells were queer; the market was spotty, perhaps due to an au thor’s reading given in the city. Harold Bell Wrights fluctuated, mostly downward, due to overcapitalization. Edgar Guests, as usual held their own. Chestertons were tut Leacocks were bri: H. G. Wellses wer: sombre and sluggish. European securities, suc: as Bojer, Hamsun, ete., were g and unsettled. Cabells were dull. He heimers seemed uncertain, but broke st toward the close. Sinclair Lewises hi vigorously —Christopher Morley, York Evening Post. But What On! “Our Teachers,” was the subject of the toast which Mary, a popular young school girl, was asked to give at a class quet. Being a general favorite with both pupils and teachers she was regarded best qualified to handle the subject in a pleasing and tactful manner. Imagine their sur; when she closed with the startling perora- tion: “Here's to our dear teachers, long may they live, but—what on? —Indianapolis } Limerick of the Links A duffer who loudly cried “ Fore!" Remarked as he wrathtullyawore I've got the right grip With the pivoting hip, But I don't seem to get the right scor w York Tribu A Masculine Helen Lire suggests a “ Handsomest Man Con- test,” naming among the possible candidates for the prize Charlie Schwab. Which re- minds us that while a colleague of ours was gazing at Charlie's picture the other day we heard him murmur abstractedly: “Is this the face that launched a thousand ship —Boston Transc One and Inseparable “Sages tell us that the best way to get the most out of life is to fall in love with a great problem or a beautiful woman.” “ Why not choose the latter and get both?” —Amherst Lord Jeg. Undisputed “I claim that Congressmen are paid m than they're worth,” “How much are they paid?” “T don't know.”—Nashville Tennesseo Copy this Sketch ealgess ecertoastacn (SN, Pat nersed ty Syteraesl SES ( | <Q) individoal lessons by mail UusdoW MCTURE CAARTS make original draw- {ng easy to learn. Send sketch a, stampe for sample Picture svilcocest what meee comicbooks.com