Life, 1922-02-23 · page 33 of 34
Life — February 23, 1922 — page 33: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page mixes literary satire with period advertising. The main text is Arthur Guiterman's poem "On the Decay of Lying," which laments that modern people no longer believe grand fictional tales—only in mundane things like "Scotch and rye" and advertising schemes. Guiterman argues we've lost faith in the old storytellers and romantic liars of antiquity. The advertisements reflect the commercial culture Guiterman critiques: Bayer Aspirin emphasizes brand-name trust, Planters Peanuts uses a mascot (Mr. Peanut) to sell snacks as health food, and Corlez Cigars target businessmen. The page includes brief humorous dialogues exploiting ethnic stereotypes (Irish accents in "It Was") and wordplay about flattery—typical of Life's lighter content. The overall irony: Guiterman mourns lost belief in fiction while surrounded by ads designed to manipulate consumer belief through marketing narratives.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
On the Decay of Lying JNCHAUSEN’S lips, alas, are M drifting dust, And dust are all the noble fiction- weavers. Awake them must Have audience of prodigal believers; And find me now the simple-hearted trust That cave Antiquity its grand de- ceivers! . when our world was credu- lously youthful That mci could be so gorgeously un- truthful. not. Prodigious liars ‘Twas But who to-day would hear and not yy undeville, that prince of legend- molders, Should yarn about the Anthropophagi And 1nen whose heads do grow be- neath their shoulders? We put no faith in aught but Scotch and rye, Promotion schemes or advertising folders; To Sinlad’s tale we wouldn't hark a nute c whispered, “Sh! there’s mil- ms in it!” Unless srs doubt Herodotus his book; nfidence in Malory is shaken; | | verchance, believe in Doctor | k ere writ by Bacon, spirin Then It’s Genuine Unless you see the name “Bayer” on tablets, you are not getting gen- une Aspirin prescribed by physi- Clans for 24 years and proved safe by millions, “Always say “Bayer.” Aspirin is the trade mark of Bayer Manufacture of Monoaceticacidester of Salicylicacid. | that Shakespeare’s plays SALTED PEANUTS Lrerywhere in the “Red PennantBags” No tea, reception, or card party is complete nowadays without “Planters Pennant Salted Peanuts.” “Planters” has an exclusive method of roasting ‘Pen- nants” in a combination of rich vegetable oi which, with the high oi content of “Pennants,” makes them an aid to digestion. A_ 5c bag contains food value equal to a slice of roast beef—250 calories. Planters Nut & Chocolate Co. Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Suffolk, Va. New York Chicago Boston San Francisco Eat them daily for hungerazd health MR. PEANUT REG.U.S. PAT. OFF And yet on gallant Captain Smith they look Askance, and hold him grievously mistaken ! We cry, “Dethroned they lie—the great romancers !”” “They lie! they lie!” derisive Echo answers. | Believe that sordid tales alone are true, And I'll believe in faith that never | varies. Believe in all that Science hints to you | (And then retracts), and I'll believe in fairies. Believe your printed sheet of saffron | hue, And I'll believe in Poesy’s vagaries. | Believe whatever Sellers say to Buyers, But I'll believe the old, artistic liars! Arthur Guiterman, It Was Wituts: You know that excuse you told me to spring on the boss when I was late this morning? Gitus: Yes. I said it was a sure- fire excuse. Wasn't it? Wits: It was. He sure fired me. O’Rorke: The man phwat has no woife is nawthin’. M’Toote: So is the man phwat has wan, b’gobs! The All-Powerful Flattery “How did you manage to sell that manuscript of yours—by telling the editor what a good writer you are?” “No—by telling him what a good edi- tor he is.” MANNERS AND MODES Sympathetic effect produced by the appearance of an ultra-Muscovite con- fection in a busy thoroughfare. —Reproduced from Punch (London) by arrangement with the proprietors. “MADE AT KEY WEST— comicbooks.com