Life, 1923-06-28 · page 8 of 37
Life — June 28, 1923 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct satirical pieces: **"Byng!" (top left):** A caricatured figure in ornate military dress represents Governor-General Julian Byng. The poem celebrates his accomplishments across Canada—gathering honors, cleaning up corruption, and maintaining proper protocol. The satire mocks the pomp and formality surrounding his position, reducing his achievements to collecting "Quarts of Stars and Orders." **"Summers" (bottom left):** A wistful prose piece listing different types of summers—fleeting, forgotten, or cherished—evoking nostalgia. This isn't political satire but rather sentimental humor about human memory. **"Italian Grocer" (right):** A brief humorous anecdote about leaving money with a grocer, playing on Italian-American dialect and customer relations. The page blends political satire with domestic humor typical of Life magazine's style.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFE WAKE, Ontario, and sing Of Governor-General Julian Byng! From East to West on Flying Pinion Through all the Glorious Dominion With Trumpet Note shall Fame proclaim His Valiantly Explosive Name! On Turkish, French and Flemish Borders He gathered Quarts of Stars and Orders And even Parliament said, “Thanks Because of What he Did with Tanks. While bravely cleaving Belgium's Fetters He won so many Extra Letters— Like M. V. O., K. C. M. G., And K. C. B. and LL. D.— That when at Féte or Public Function He's introduced with Proper Unction, To give his Rank and Titles, net, They just recite the Alphabet! Arthur Guiterman, Summers UMMERS that seem to last only a day...summers that linger on and on...summers that alter our entire lives ...summers that never vary...summers that begin in late August...summers that end in early July...summers that can never be forgotten...summers that completely slip our minds...summers that can never be repeated... summers spent in bridge playing, in foxtrotting, in cock- tail drinking, in dining out, in love making. ..idle summers ..hectic summers, dreamy summers, wasted summers... summers in a bathing suit...summers in suburbia. ..sum- mers in the heart of a great city. Historic Canada UEBEC—Picturesque old town. Famous for quaint American tobogganers, skaters, honeymooners, etc, (Rediscovered, 1919.) Montreal—Home of S. Leacock, great American humor- ist. On direct route from New York to Boston. Canadian Northwest—Entirely suitable for movie scenario backgrounds; home of men (old style), M. P.’s., and others. Hudson Bay Co—See “Are Animals Getting a Square Deal?” Factor—Important element in Canadian development. B. C.—Pseud.; slogan: “Better Come.” Obs. Canadian Rockies—Native heath of American tourist* and mountain goat. (European papers please copy.) Big Fish—See vacation pamphlets. Big Time—Cf. “The American in Canada,” by T. Ronto. Vol. 1, p. 69. Big Mistake—Made by him who wasn’t posted on the above. Niagara Falls—Best view from the Canadian side. Scene of first liquor trouble (smuggling, y’know, and things like that). International Border—Scene of later (similar) activities. *Cf. Canada Goose, THE presidential candidates have started roaring, But you should never judge presidential timber by its bark. Italian Grocer: DA BESTA ANTIPASTO—NO LEAVE HIM IN DA CAN AFTER HE'S OPEN—HE MAKA DA pois’ AN’ WE NO LIKA LOSE A NICEA CUSTOMER. comicbooks.com