Life, 1923-08-23 · page 23 of 36
Life — August 23, 1923 — page 23: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three distinct satirical pieces: **"Adam at His Worst"** critiques excessive naming practices—particularly of geographical features after Civil War generals and congressmen, and the ornate naming of summer cottages. The essay mocks both the obsession with nomenclature and the domestic strife caused by selecting children's middle names. **"Sambo" and "Rastus" dialogue** (top illustration) features racist caricatures in a crude joke about a hunting dog's abilities, using period stereotypes. **"The Inner Mandate"** is a brief joke about an invalid claiming poverty prevents a balanced diet, despite eating enough to satisfy hunger—satirizing either malnutrition excuses or economic hardship. **"Brigham Young Gets His Wives a Cold Drink"** references the polygamist Mormon leader, presenting a domestic comic about offering multiple wives refreshment—playing on his historical notoriety for polygamy. The page reflects early-20th-century Life magazine's mix of social commentary, crude ethnic humor (now offensive), and topical American references targeting public figures and contemporary absurdities.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
n Sambo: Adam at His Worst HE worst sin that Adam com- mitted against the race was when he named the various objects in the Garden. To that sin of Adam's can he directly traced the custom of naming majestic mountain peaks for Civil War generals and members of Congress. If Adam had not gone about nam- ing things there would not be in our day and age people who insist on knowing the name of every flower in the garden. Neither should we have the people who attach long and un- pronounceable names to the smallest and most fragile flowers. [he commonest remark made by wissengers on trains is: “I wonder what's the name of that river?” When some one tells them the name, they say, “Oh.” The names painted on summer cot- tages alone are enough to discredit the whole science of nomenclature. Many happy homes have been clouded o’er with strife when it be- came necessary to select the child’s middle name. After a bitter com- Rastus: WHA’S DAT, A BIRD DOG? SURE IS. HE’S DONE GOT EVERYTHIN’ ’CEPT WINGS. promise has been reached, the child The Inner Mandate is called “Junior” or “Precious.” OME Economics Expert: Do Once a waterfall was not named you have a balanced diet? Bridal Veil, but the Supreme Court INVALID: Y but sometimes I get held the act unconstitutional. S. K. so hungry I have to eat. “SWaat is HOME| ~ WiTHouT A PAPAT, JOWN WELD UR. — - aa S BRIGHAM YOUNG GETS HIS WIVES A COLD DRINK comicbooks.com