Life, 1922-05-25 · page 29 of 34
Life — May 25, 1922 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page mixes editorial content with advertising. The main satirical piece is "Conditional Clauses"—a commentary on media distrust. It humorously suggests that if we believed everything newspapers claimed about various professions (bankers, doctors, critics, lawyers, friends, wives), we'd be credulous fools. The moral warns readers to "look before you listen"—a jab at sensationalist journalism and the unreliability of press accounts about different social groups. The poem "To a Russian Dancer, Mad" appears to reference the real mental health crisis of a celebrated Russian dancer (likely Vaslav Nijinsky, institutionalized in 1912, though the exact figure isn't specified). It mourns the loss of his artistic brilliance through vivid references to his famous roles (Petrouchka, Scheherazade). The remainder is advertising for Williams' Shaving Stick and American Express travel services.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Na. Qu in What it costs—What to see —Suggested itineraries. All contained in free book, “Amer- ican Traveler in Europe 1922” Oberammergau. Write, call, or phone AMERICAN EXPRESS Travel Department 65 Broadway, New York To a Russian Dancer, Mad (Suggested by a report of his madness) | Hl say that he who made T Petrouchka live And die, is in a madhouse now in Spain, Nor in Scheherazade will ever give His wild abandon to the dance again. The favori negre is dead; and that lithe Faun Which. through the sun-drenched sleepy afternoon, Watched the nymphs glide upon the amber lawn, No more will fright them from their sport too soon. And when night's stage is lit by flaring stars, With clown-white face and _ witless estures creeps, Through the black grating, brushing | the moonlit bars, Mad Harlequin; Pierrot chatters and weeps, Moon struck. Narcisse, his form a vind-torn flower, Shedding the lustre of his star-like face, Staggers and droops, while he who gave them power Of | forgets his beauty and his Which was their breath of being. Now they seem Only a host of memories wan, and leet - Fantastic puppets of a poet’s dream Whose sleep has stirred the motion of their feet. With postures strange and movements out of time, They ereet the Dawn—in frantic pan- tomime. T. FS. The Wreck Patient (after being examined from head to foot): Well, what did you find, Doctor? Docror (as cheerful as possible) : Well, my man, I find that your right thumb is in excellent condition. LIFE Conditional Clauses | Ir we listened to what our newspapers say, we would never believe anything. bankers “os ‘ “start doctors “oe “ “eat critics OS : “read lawyers “oe “do friends ‘ ‘ “be wives J say Look before you listen, Use any kind of water with Williams’ Shaving Stick Some men have to use cold water for shaving, especially in Summer. Others prefer it. In some sections the water is hard. These conditions and many others were allowed for in determining the Williams’ formula. Use any kind of water with Williams’ Stick. Use it your own way. Rub it in or not—just as you like. You are rule-free if the stick is Williams’. See ho: 7 quickly the Williams’ lather begins the work of softening the beard and preparing the skin for the razor. See how supple, smooth and refreshed the skin feels afterward. . Williams’ Holder Top is the holder that 4o/ds— metal to metal. It cannot wobble loose. When you’re ready for a new stick, Williams’ Re-Loads are instantly inserted and always cost you less than the com- plete package. Send 10 Cents for a trial length stick in a large, re-loadable box. For convenience use coupon below. . c-————-— -— -— -— PAT@ENQTED ‘THE J. B, WILLIAMS’ COMPANY | Dept. 45, Glastonbury, Conn. Send me a trial length Holder Top Stick in a large re-loadable box. 10 cents enclosed Shaving Stick |:-- comicbooks.com