Life, 1924-09-11 · page 5 of 36
Life — September 11, 1924 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine presents "The Prince and the President: A Luncheon Conversation"—a satirical dialogue between the Prince of Wales and the U.S. President (likely from the 1920s-30s based on style). The humor mocks both figures' pretensions and cultural differences. The Prince boasts about aristocratic pursuits (polo, fancy dress codes, farm life), while the President represents American pragmatism and simplicity. Their exchanges highlight class distinctions and transatlantic cultural stereotypes—the Prince's affected British mannerisms versus American directness. The bottom cartoon's caption ("Betty in the country: Uncle Hiram, why does that pig wear a ring in her nose?") extends the satire, suggesting rural American confusion about aristocratic affectation, implying even farm life has more sense than upper-class pretense.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
(The Prince of Wales is shown into he dining-room just as the President nters from the hay field, taking off his property smock as he comes.) HE PRINCE OF WALES: It was awfully jolly of you to ask me to luncheon. Presinent Coouince: That's all right Glad to have you—if you don’t mind taking pot-luck. We're just tolks, you know. No frills. Tue Prince: That's perfectly bully. (A tong pause follows, while Silent Cal is silent.) Tne Prince: Are you going to the polo? Tue Presipent: How's that? Tue Prince: I say, are you going to the polo? Tue Presivent: simple No—we're just mx - Betty (in the country): UNCLE HIRAM, WHY DOES THAT PIG WEAR A RING IN HER NOSE? T The Prince and the President A Luncheon Conversation plain simple folks, you know. None of your frills. Tue Prince: That's ripping. (Long pause while a couple of farm hands bring in jugs of switchel from the hay fields.) Tue Prince: Awfully jolly party at Chevy Chase last night. Your Ameri- can girls are charming dancers. Tue Presipent: How's that? Twe Prince: I say, your American girls are delightful dancers. Tue Presipent: So they tell me. (Long silence while the and coffee are served.) Tue Prince: Don't you think that the turn-over collar looks better with the two-butten morning coat than the old-fashioned bat-wing? (No answer at all.) Tue Prixce: | doughnuts how's eC baccarat game? We might shoot a lit- tle after luncheon? (No answer at all.) Tue Prince: Well, | toddling along. Drop in and sce us some time. You and the Mater would hit it off splendidly Tue Present: Waal—l able to get off now until after we get the into the barns. We're just simple folks, y« Tue Prince: Yes, no frills Tue Presivent: No. man, here's an old switchel bucket that my grandfather wed to take out intu the fields with him. You might like to have it just as a keepsake Tue Prince: That's ripping of you Awfully good time....Well, toodle- (No answer.) must — be won't be know Here, young Robert Benchley 18 SHE ENGAGED? comicbooks.com