Life, 1922-06-08 · page 12 of 34
Life — June 8, 1922 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The cartoon "The Man About Town" depicts a well-dressed man at what appears to be a bar or social establishment, surrounded by drinking companions. The caption quotes him saying: "If I had my life to live over again I'd have nothing to do with women." This is a straightforward satirical joke about male regret and romantic disillusionment—a common humor theme in early 20th-century Life magazine. The cartoon mocks a typical "man about town" (a fashionable, socially active bachelor) who frequents bars and social venues, suggesting his lifestyle and romantic entanglements have left him cynical about relationships with women. The accompanying poem "To Sir Owen Seaman" appears unrelated to the cartoon, addressing the editor of *Punch* magazine with literary praise.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
WW ARONEAI The Man About Town “If I had my life to live over again I'd have nothing to do with women.” 'O you whom last I saw absorbing © lunch (‘Twas at the Cheshire Cheese, O princely gleeman!), To you, sagacious editor of Punch, In point of tact, to you, Sir Owen Seaman, I tune my dulcimer; for you is blown My plaintive saxophone. Yet can you prize a meagre serenade When every week you have your Charivari ? Who marks another star, but feebly rayed, When all his sky is gloriously starry ? But though you want no medals, any- how Til pin one on you now: To Sir Owen Seaman Because you knew your task—to hearten men For griefs that were and griefs to come thereafter. When all the world went mad, you proved again The saving sanity of valiant laughter And reared against the tyrannies of earth Indomitable mirth. Besides, what edifying lights you throw On Uncle Sam, his nephews and his nieces ! What curious Americans you know! They constitute an unfamiliar species Whose habitat is England; for, it’s queer, We never meet them here. Their speech is odd; to us it's heathen Greek. They swagger so! they strike fan tastic poses. Their slang is weird and shamefully antique. They brag’ profusely, always through their noses, And drawl persistently, in joy or stress, “T reckon,” or “I guess.” Enough of that. What difference does it make! For when did brother fail to mock at brother? Then let us mock for old acquaintance’ sake And have our quips and flings at on another ; And while we laugh, “ What fools w mortals be !” Let's emphasize the “we!” A.G. comicbooks.com