Life, 1923-03-15 · page 22 of 36
Life — March 15, 1923 — page 22: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two satirical pieces about Ireland following its independence (the "Free State" reference dates this to the 1920s). **Top Cartoon:** A society woman (Mrs. Cushing Wells) asks an elderly academician about the greatest old masters. His tart reply—"God, madam"—mocks her pretentious interest in art while suggesting the greatest artist is divine, not human. The satire targets affected wealthy Americans claiming cultural sophistication. **Main Article:** "Through Tara's Gambling Halls" humorously attacks Ireland's plans to establish casinos. The satire ridicules Irish identity through absurdist "official rules": card suits renamed as Irish stereotypes (Spuds, Shamrocks, Shillelaghs); face cards humorously renamed after Irish/political figures (Lloyd George as "Knaves"); and comically strict Irish-only gaming laws with execution threatened for cheating or using English customs. The humor depends on recognizing contemporary references to Irish independence politics and playing on American stereotypes about Irish identity, while mocking the Irish Free State's self-conscious nation-building efforts.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
: \ mh lease \ i ny Mrs. Gushing Wells (to old Academician): Oh, Mr. Ancien, you know I am so much in- terested in Art! Please tell me whom you consider the greatest of the old masters. Academician (with asperity): God, madam. Through Tara’s Gambling Halls REPARATIONS are under way to make Ireland rival the South of France as a gambling center: “Casinos with gaming tables,” we learn from the news- papers, “at the Irish resorts figure in the plans being drawn up for the approval of the Free State government.” At last, there will be a reason for the person who must call spades “spuds.” Instead of being shot for doing it, as was ‘formerly the pleasant custom, he will most likely be shot for not doing it. For the Free State will brook no trifling with its dignity. Indeed, the information comes on excellent authority that in order to impress the world in general, gambling in Ireland will not be according to Hoyle, but to Doyle, McCarthy and O’Brien. With no little difficulty and great daring the following extracts of the Irish card rules have been secured from the Green and Orange Book of Ireland—a book now in secret preparation and one which, when published, will rank with the other highly colored official books of the nations, viz—the Blue Book of France, the White Book of England, the Yellow Book of Jugo-Slavia, the Fairy Tales of the brothers Grimm and The Sheik. The Irish deck, according to the Green and Orange Book, will consist of fifty-two cards from the deuce to the ace, separated as widely as possible into four green suits —Spuds, Shamrocks, Emeralds and Shillelaghs. The Irish deuces will be wild. As will the treys, fours, fives and so on. Any Irish card will beat one of a red or black suit. For the sake of proper decorum, Jacks will be known as Mikes. Knaves will be known as Lloyd George. Kings will be known as Kelleys. The Kelleys have always been kings, and who has a better right? ~ Irish Queens:.will be Queens—God bless them! The Joker will be kngwn as George Bernard. Shaw. This is no news. Any player not an Irishman found with extra cards in his possession will be led out and shot. Any pot under £25 will be known as a potheen. No Englishman will be allowed to stand pat. He never could, anyhow. Anyone playing with an old-fashioned deck and refer- ring to the King of Clubs as the K. of C. will be led out and shot. Extra rules have been added to the Irish game of Auction Bridge which will be known officially as “Whisht.” The bid—or the Bridget—will be allowed (Continued on page 28) comicbooks.com = =