Judge — September 30, 1882 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Judge magazine cartoon depicts **Johnny Bull** (the traditional British personification) as a gloomy figure sitting by the Thames in London, sketching targets. He's labeled with two rowing competitions: "American 1908" and "British 1913," referencing Olympic or international rowing races. A jubilant American figure on the right (wearing a "Victory" banner and top hat) celebrates with a rifle adorned with laurels, suggesting American athletic triumph. The American appears to be taunting the dejected British competitor. The satire mocks British decline in international sporting competitions relative to American prowess around 1913. The cold weather caption reinforces the dreary mood. This reflects early 20th-century anxieties about shifting Anglo-American power dynamics through the lens of athletic competition.