Judge, 1883-12-29 · page 3 of 16
Judge — December 29, 1883 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Potts' Christmas Turkey" - Judge Magazine Satire This page satirizes **William Henry Hurlburt**, a journalist about to marry a duchess. The main narrative follows a Christmas turkey that Hurlburt supposedly bought, using it as an extended metaphor for his situation. The cartoon traces the turkey through various hands—a market vendor, a cook, a carving knife wielder—each character remarking that the bird becomes progressively worn down and exhausted, much like the once-vigorous Hurlburt. The final image shows "Poor old Potts" (likely Hurlburt's nickname or alias) exhausted after brandishing his "huge carving knife." **The satire's point**: Marrying wealthy nobility will wear down and domesticate this otherwise independent-minded journalist. The repeated refrain "Bout his going to market, and the bird, &c." suggests inevitable fate. The humor relies on readers knowing Hurlburt's reputation and the scandal surrounding his engagement to a widow of higher social standing.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
man in the ma the turkey th: old the turkey that Potts bought Tr William Henry Hurlburt is soon to marry a duchess, 4 asserts, wh widow forr journal nating hington, whom he last winter in the to whom gossip» the c o* beware William Heury should r This is the That the Nui sb lel Vind is as ton rites at That was saute by t Who remarked that th This is friend Pe Who | Made by the belp who felt | That the bird was us tong | And friend 1 | well b Like a sabre he uses the Anil he’s still be Bout hi ber that, however tempting to a journalist | And through his hewl buzz whe as mad us friend Potts can to market, and the bird, &e. Knows in ber heart carving knife: te by his wife, and the bird that he her heart asthe wheels, &e. little wife, Exhausted And fri the hand of a duchess may be, the widow is emem~ 4 wright, Poor old Potts 1 a most pitiful sight, a suying q How changed since he brandished the hug knife, ete comicbooks.com