Life, 1921-10-13 · page 32 of 34
Life — October 13, 1921 — page 32: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising** (diamonds, perfume, indigestion relief) with one short satirical piece. The satire, "Such Language!" by an unnamed writer, **mocks pretentious book-marketing prose**. A major publisher has issued a biography of a Washington figure (likely from the Harding administration era, given the reference) using absurdly casual, populist language—describing the subject as an "articulate emotionalist," "strong josher," and "English sparrow" who "behaves as such." The satirist argues this colloquial marketing copy is **intellectually dishonest**: if the publisher uses dumbed-down psychology-speak to *sell* the book, the book itself probably contains the same shallow writing. The piece questions whether respectable publishers should **prostitute their reputations** chasing sales with such anti-intellectual language, whether this serves readers or the publishing industry long-term. It's essentially gatekeeping criticism—worry that commercial pressure pushes quality publishers toward mediocrity.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Crom the lovely ly pels me-laclen gardens old France. comes Heury d/Amour FLOWERS OF LOVE the most faxuriogs perfume in the world- Oxtraut, Gau de Tork felte, avon, Dude, Sachet, Gale, CBrilfantine. WILL YOU NOT MAKE THIS FRAGRANCE YOUR OWN? WE SHALL BE HAPPY TO SEND YOU OUR GUIDE— ‘Parisian Toilet Specialties” ON REQUEST. ROGER & GALLET 25 WEST 32%P STREET NEW YORK Creators of Rare Perfumes Paris Best dealers everywhere Query OW would you like To step, unexpectedly, into your own mind And meet your thoughts in the original, Face to Face? Would you discover among the old fa- miliar ones Some strange, new thoughts, bursting like star-shells Into sudden brilliance, but fading as soon? Would you find them stubbornly silent In the presence of a real idea, But chattering like fools Over nothing at all? Would you stumble on delicate little ones, White and frail as wind-flowers on slender stems, That wilt and wither if you gather them? And would you see swift, red, veno-| mous thoughts Darting like snakes in the borderland of consciousness ? Or would you feel as though you were walking over gunpowder That might explode At the touch of even the smallest ray of attention, Wrecking your brain— And you with it? Oh, what a horrible thing it is To be afraid of thoughts! Helene Hawes Porter. Such Language! N an announcement published by one of the oldest and most respectable publishing houses in America, the writer, dealing with a forthcoming book about Washington life, has this to say: He is an articulate emotionalist if ever there was one; a politician to his finger tips and a strong josher; a real handshaker and an elbow mas- sager. He is the English sparrow of the Harding administration: chipper, confident, unafraid, friendly. And he behaves as such. We wonder if this sort of writing sells such a book? And if so, whether it is worth selling on such terms, whether it would not be better for these old established publishers to refuse to sell their high reputation at this price? If—according to modern methods of psychology—the language of this an- nouncement is purposely written in the same vein as the book itself, which is the impression one gets from reading it, then why publish the book at all? Is the book trade going to be made any better in the long run when publishers at the head of it resort to these methods to correct it? 30 BUY DIAMONDS Direct From JASON WEILER & SONS, Boston, Mass, One of America’s leading diamond importers and save 20'to 49 per cent. on regular retail prices For over 45 years the house of Jason Weller & Sons ‘of Boston has been one of the leading diamond im- tin jewelers, ever, 8 mail with cus- tomers at _im- Dorting prices! Here Is a list of diamonds— direct to you 1 Carat, $145.00 by’ mait—witeh clearly proves This one carat diamond is of fine our” position brilliancy and perfectly cut. Mounted to name. prices in Tiffany style 14K. solid goldsetting. on Order this diamond, take it to any Jeweler and if he says it.can be du- surely interest plicated for less than) $200.00 send It auy' pre back. and your money ill be aC brospectit rt once without a qui mon na $145.00 “2 Our price direct to you PRICES on. OTHER DIAMOND RINGS “carat - - ~ $31.00 % carat Ya carat 34 carat {carat - ' carats - = - 217.00 Qearats - - - 250.00 3 carats - - - 435.00 Money refunded if these diamondscan be purchased elsewhere for less one-third. more, Prices, vary accordiy Ladies’ All Platinum Diamond Ring $200.00 Perfectly cut blue white diamond of fine bril- t in all plat- carved rings, e We refer you as to our reliability to any bank or newspaper in Boston Ir desired, rings will, be and_piere value for all time goes with every purchase, WRITE TODAY FOR THIS 44 VALUABLE CATALOG ON HOW TO BUY DIAMONDS ‘This book is beauti- fully illustrated. Tells monds. This gives "weights, and prices i Hon Dollars’ Worth of Diamonds. A copy will be mailed to you FREE on receipt of your name and address Jason Weiler & Sons 371 Washington St., Boston, Mass. Diamond Importers since 1876 Forelgn Agencies: London, Amstcrdam and Paris Sure Relief 6 BELLANS Hot water Sure Relief FOR ad ESTION publi man. Mad Char York Ave are Aver of A Mad: Mill comicbooks.com