Judge — February 21, 1885 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page satirizes the rising cost of living, specifically household expenses. The cartoon sequence mocks attempts to economize: **"An Experimental Dodge"** shows a dinner where appearance matters more than substance—suggesting false economy through pretense. **"Two Who Willingly Assist in Solving the Problem"** depicts people deliberately remaining ignorant of financial realities. **"Kerosene is Enthroned...as a Cheap Substitute"** shows a lamp replacing gas lighting—a cost-cutting measure that ultimately fails. **"Shattered Hopes"** and **"Eureka! The Electric Champion"** depict people trying various alternatives (electricity, gadgets) seeking savings, only to discover they backfire. The overall message: Despite efforts to reduce household bills through substitutions and experiments, expenses mysteriously keep rising—the page title **"Bills Higher"** delivers the punchline. The satire targets middle-class anxiety about inflation and the futility of penny-pinching solutions.