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Judge, 1884-05-31 · page 4 of 16

Judge — May 31, 1884 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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Judge — May 31, 1884 — page 4: Judge, 1884-05-31

What you’re looking at

# "The Judge" Page Analysis This page satirizes Victorian-era social gatherings and their awkward conventions. The left column presents absurd "advice" for hosting parlor entertainments—deliberately terrible suggestions masked as helpful tips. **Key satirical targets:** - **Mr. Snodgrass**: A member of the "Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals" who casually abandons a cat in a basket with burning gas (dark humor about animal welfare hypocrisy) - **The "entertainment advice"**: Intentionally bad suggestions—selecting performers with wavering voices, placing reciters in corners so guests can't hear them, hiring those of "stunted growth," choosing nervous speakers who forget their lines. This mocks the tedious, poorly-executed musical performances common at Victorian social events. - **Ventilation bit**: Jokes about opening windows to allow "damp, penetrating air" then closing them again—absurd health concerns of the era. The accompanying illustrations show domestic chaos: a cat in a basket, a person bent over (likely the "stunted" performer), and a cat being kicked ("MEOW!"). **The satire**: ridicules both pretentious social gatherings and their typically dull, uncomfortable entertainment.

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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

HAS HE GONE? About nine o'clock, the heat being intense, lassitude among the guests will « now open all windows, letting in a thorough draft of damp, penetrating air, When Mr. Snodgrass has fixed pussy in a nice Warned by the sneezing of several parties basket in the parlor, behind the door. **Now, | that ventilation has done its perfect work, little pussy, you can sleep in this little bed close again all openings. Make a point of all night, and [will leave the gas burning, | 'troducing only the bashful young men; so you wont be afraid! In the morning we #low all who are self-po: to congregate will find a nice place for vou in the stable, | behind the doors, and se themselves and Mrs. S. will never know anything together. about it.” ° When the programme is exhausted, an- — | nounce that the company can continu will have to be omitted. Iave at least two | amuse themselves by lau vocal solos, the gentleman gifted with a fine, This announcement will . young rich falsette might wrestle with the ladics, who regard these social reunions as “Cajus Amin *"Stabat Mater.” ‘To one of the happy hunting grounds of their ensure success the prima donna of the eve- | sex, to assume their most’ winning ning must have a thin, wavering voice on call up their sweetest phrases, a which no dependance can be placed, so that for the subjugation of the enemy in singing it will beimpossible totell whether demonstrations on the part of the fair nish vou by taking the sex will strike such terror into the souls of She might the unfortunate youths who are still d Una Voce poca porting themselves uneasily on the s f haircloth, that their hearts will melt, r Don't omit the young lady who plays on will flee when no man pursueth,” and plunge every instrument, from a jews-harp to a_ into the safe obscurity of the hall {andj back trombone: she can pick a little on the banjo. , galleries. Mr. Sxopenass, who belongs to the So- ciety for the Prevention of Cruelty to Ani- mals, comes home, after his wife has gone to bed, with ss cat he has picked up in the street. select a performer who how to mafile the tones of the instr otherwise conversation will be impossible, and your ¢ Have one recitation a Maniae;” declaimer to stand in the corner of the room, the g crowded around so t ey can, as it were, cuteh the words whe : from his mouth, and prevent them fra going any farther. Be careful to choose your speakers from among the persons of stunted growth, so that people in the rear of the room cannot tell whether or standin, Let it be known. son before the festivity com MT that it would able for all ladies taking part in the dorn their r with flowei principal perfor heir head, so as t hair had budded Enlive: ¥ with a comic recitation, rend by a nervous young person having such a short memory that the most ianghable climax ati Anti i i MEOW! comicbooks.com