Life, 1923-04-12 · page 34 of 40
Life — April 12, 1923 — page 34: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains social and literary satire from the early 20th century. The main text is "A Ballade of Sick Books," a poem by Richard Le Gallienne attacking modern literature. The author condemns contemporary writers for producing vulgar, poorly-written work—"dirt for the dirty"—aimed at what he calls a "sex-crazy generation." He dismisses modernist innovations like free verse and unconventional punctuation as pretentious affectation. The satire targets the cultural anxiety of the era: established literary figures feared that new writing styles (modernism) and frank subject matter represented cultural degradation. The poem's refrain—"There's not the smallest need to read 'em"—dismisses such books through willful ignorance rather than engagement. The "Out of Bounds" joke at page bottom satirizes advertising professionals, depicting Diogenes (the ancient philosopher searching for an honest man) giving up his quest when he discovers a golf tournament for advertisers—implying advertisers represent dishonesty. The page is otherwise dominated by period advertisements for hair products and clothing.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Rockies ~~ a 1 Mr. W.J. BLACK, 1 Pass. Traf. Mgr., Santa Fe System Lines 1149 Railway Exchange, Chicago 1 pease mal om owing Santa Fo bool California Pictare Book Colorado Summer ‘Srand Canyon Outings Off The Beaten Path (ark with X Uhove wanted) 1! Ais? daaia a to conn of trip 10 ws LIFE A Ballade of Sick Books Dear friend, whose anger kindles bright, With blasphemies of indignation, At what “these modern fellows” write To choruses of self-laudation, With serious sickening affectation ; Waste not good wrath, why should you heed ’em? Remember this for consolation— There’s not the smallest need to read em. Dirt for the dirty they indite, Making industrious revelation Of things that smell and foul the sight, A sort of verbal suppuration, For a sex-crazy generation, Sick reading for the sick that breed vem; But what’s the use of condemna- tion? There’s not the smallest need to read vem. The brave old books for our delight Laugh on their shelves; no innova- tion, Verse free of sense and singing quite, Or prose that mocks at punctua- tion, Need cause you any perturbation ; Trust Time, with its calm hands, to weed ‘em, And straighten out the situation— There's not the smallest need to read ’em. Envoi Prince, read your Horace; swift damnation Awaits these antic fools of “free- dom,” No need of your expostulation— There’s not the smallest need to read ‘em. Richard Le Gallienne. Out of Bounds Di0GENEs, growing desperate, re- filled his lamp and struck out for the great open spaces. After the third detour, he encountered a man at a gate, to whom he confided the secret of his search. “Sorry, my friend,” the gateman told him, “but you're wasting your time here. This is the Babbling Brook Country Club and we're hold- ing our annual golf tournament for advertising men.” Nortu: The will of the people is the supreme law. West: Ah, but that has been de- clared unconstitutional. A PUNCTUAL woman is one who is late only at the right time. Hair Stays Combed, Glossy “Hair-Groom” Keeps Hair Combed—Well-Groomed Millions Use It—Fine for Hair! —Not Sticky, Greasy or Smelly A few cents buys jar of “Hair-Groom” at any drugstore, which maki even stubborn, unruly or shampooed hair combed all day in any style you “Hair-Groom” is a dignified cor cream which gives that natural gloss and well-groomed effect to your hair—that final touch to good dress both in business and on social occasions. Greaseless, stainless “Hair-Groom” does not show on the hair because it is absorbed by the scalp, therefore your hair remains so soft and pliable and so natural that no one can possibly tell you used it. NEW GARTER FOR (Patented) MAKES TROUSERS HANG STRAIGHT If Legs Bend In or Out ‘Self-adjustable Itholds Socks Up—Shirt Down Nota “Form” or “Harness” No Metal Springs Free Circular Plain, sealed envelope THE T. GARTER CO. Dept.28, New London, New Hampshire nm apply Booklet carly to 0. _Gunaton, “is, “Station Rd. Cambridge, England comicbooks.com