Judge — July 11, 1885 — page 16: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Judge cartoon satirizes judicial authority during summer. A mermaid—representing the judge's power or authority—holds a large decorative fan displaying various scenes of social life and human activity within a circular frame. The title's pun suggests the judge "fans" or influences hot-weather behavior and public conduct. The vignettes visible on the fan appear to depict everyday summer scenes and social interactions, likely including instances of questionable behavior that would fall under judicial purview. The image critiques how judges' decisions and authority shape public life and social norms, even during leisure season. The mermaid figure—a fantastical, liminal character—may suggest the judge's somewhat otherworldly or arbitrary power over ordinary citizens' summer activities and behavior.