Life, 1923-08-09 · page 3 of 36
Life — August 9, 1923 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising and literary content** rather than political satire. The left side contains a poem titled "The Jester to the Critics," addressing an unnamed subject who "grins and flees" and "plays the mummer's part"—likely social commentary about public performers or politicians who entertain rather than engage seriously. However, the figure isn't identified visually. The dominant right side promotes **"Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great"** by Elbert Hubbard, a biographical series about famous artists, writers, and philosophers. This is essentially a book advertisement with a coupon. The page offers **no clear political cartoon or specific satirical target**—it's primarily commercial content wrapped around miscellaneous editorial pieces about New York summer life and economic topics.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Jester to the Critics You think because I grin and fleer and gibe— You think because I play the mum- mer’s part, Because I laugh at man and all his trib There lies no secret sorrow at my heart. The panting tides wooing the harlot moon ; A hurt child weeping for its broken toy; A piping shepherd's little lonely tune; Blind Priam’s anguish and the rape of Troy; The town that blusters but to hide its pain; A mourning figure by the hearth- fire dim; The ancient trespass and the brand of Cain; All these, you say, mean less than naught to him. You think I’m heedless of the griefs of Earth; “He only loves,” you say, “the whimsy slight; Seeks but the passing jest—the mo- ment’s mirth.” And I confess you're absolutely right. BI. Recollections of a New York Sunday in Summer Empty clubs...deserted streets... unoccupied restaurants. . .advertise- ments of sea-side resorts...the siz- zling asphalt of Fifth Avenue...the closed theatres on Broadway. ..the roof-garden effects along Riverside Drive...desolate hotel lobbies... .ad- vertisements of mountain resorts... open taxis...electric fans. ..straggling groups in Central Park...vacant benches in Madison Square...silent Fourth Avenue. ..the rising thermom- eter...locked and bolted newsstands ..orangeade booths...Chinatown sight-seeing busses one-seventh filled navigable streets...mobs at the Grand Central — Station...peaceful Wall Street...hand organs...the hollow sound of the passing ’L trains a curious quiet over the city...an absence of familiar faces...a scorch- ing sun...fruitless telephoning. ..a hired car...Queensborough Bridge ..the road to Long Beach. Cc. G. S. Supply and Demand Persons who still believe the old songs are the best may have to revise their opinion in view of the announce- ment that Nicaragua is about to ship us a record crop of 1,000,000 stems of bananas. One on Plutarch ‘HE race is to the swift, and Plutarch soon be- came too discouraged even to look to his laurels. He simply couldn't keep the pace set by the tireless Fra Elbertus. Every year twelve spark- ling, powerful ‘Little Journeys” were added —one each calendar month—to that gallery of immortal portraits. Steadily the mighty tome of inspired biog- raphies rose higher and higher until the volumes to the Fra’s credit numbered 182— Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great These ‘‘Little Journeys’ —giving intimate pictures of great Artists, Musicians, Writers, Teachers, Philosophers, Orators, Statesmen and Businessmen, are ‘‘close-ups’’ such as only a man of genius and keen perception can give to the world To read them is to understand where Hubbard found the inspira- tion for starting the Roycroft Shops. He lived on intimate terms with the Great of all nations and all times. And in the same intimate terms he tells about them; their hopes and fears—delightful details of their private life—the motives that prompted their action—the stumbling blocks they tripped over or avoided. In a delightful man- ner he brings the most ancient of great men to our modern world—to our every-day human level. We smile to find the same human weak- nesses in these great men and are inspired and encouraged by them. Enlarge Your Vision While You Enjoy Yourself So graphic and lifelike are these great _ lived are those who were not afraid of pen pictures that while you read you anew idea and when convinced of its seem to live in far off places, in days long past. You conceive new thoughts as they first were grasped by human mind and wonder at the scepticism with which our common knowledge was re- ceived. You realize more than ever before that the men and women whose names have soundness were ready to die if need be to show their faith in it. These “Journeys” prove again that the best way to know history is to read biography and it is the only way to re- tain it; and what a delightful way to receive it when carried rapidly on the swift current of brilliant narrative. Life is joyous, interesting—that is Elbert Hubbard's message in “Little” Journeys.” We want to pass that message on to you A Rare Opportunity We have made it possible for a few of Elbert Hubbard's friends to add this superfine Memorial Edition of “Little Journeys” to their libraries at a price so special that we're not ‘“‘broadcasting” it Clip the coupon, mail to day and we'll give you all the particulars of this good news. Besides, we'll send you a “Journey” Booklet containing, “A Message to Garcia.” The Roycrofters East Aurora New York Mail This Coupon NOW | The Roycroft Shops, East Aurora, New York You may send me, FREE, the “Little Journey” Booklet, including Elbert Hub- bard's "‘A Message to Garcia.” Also send me full particulars about the special price and easy terms on which I may secure the Memorial Edition of “Little Journeys.” Life 8-9-23 comicbooks.com