Judge, 1888-03-31 · page 3 of 18
Judge — March 31, 1888 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis for Modern Readers This page contains three separate pieces of social satire typical of late-19th-century *Judge* magazine: **"Her Easter Gift"** presents a sentimental poem paired with an illustration of a woman holding an Easter egg, contrasting her romantic hopes with a man's indifferent reception of her gift—mocking Victorian courtship conventions and gendered emotional labor. **"Highly Entertaining"** satirizes small-town bleakness through a visitor's conversation with a local, who can only suggest touring the cemetery and hospital as attractions—a jab at provincial America's lack of culture and vitality. **"A Dissecting Opinion"** features two skeletons discussing Anthony Comstock, the real historical figure famous for censoring "obscene" materials. The joke mocks Comstock's moral crusades as so extreme he'd censor medical education itself—suggesting his prudishness is corpse-like and ridiculous. The bottom illustration references elopement scandal, a common Victorian melodramatic trope.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
HER IDEA OF IT. [eent hin —twas a foolish gift, {But zirls are foolish, more’s the loss!) An Easter egg all tinted bright, Reposing in green velvet-moss. Aldeftly fashioned, fine and neat; The handiwork of loving care And pr nd blessing, wish and hope, T mingled with my colors there. \ simple gift, such as one might Tw cousin or to brother send; \nd he—no doubt he'll count it but The friendly offering of a friend. Alas! stern pride checks word or sign That could for dearer favor beg: And. thoughtless nan! he'll never know My heart goes with the Easter egg! HIGHLY ENTERTAINING. Visitor from Wayback—"‘Jolly little city you Melancholy citizen (reluctant to ac- n the use of festive an ad- for anything)—" * from W.—"T shall be in town hours; what points of interest nan find to visit in that length of MC." Insan Dill: street cars, or V. from W.—* Hum—yes. At what -s could he amuse himself for yluin, up on the other pl ug a little if Ido say wns some lots.” V. from W.— very, Can you think ¢ M. C. V. from W, this train Ml take you through the hospital for cont of the funerals of the day. Adie “Much obliged, I'm sure, a limps If you are more ‘n full at night, take warnin; That surely you'll be ‘Um—very creditable to have a neat cemetery Wonder if Ic Be sure to stop at Wayback when you come that wi is diseases, and give you ny Lachrymose.” JUDGE HER EASTER GIFT. WHAT HE THOUGHT OF IT, That she could care for me, Such things we never see, By any means, Except in poems, or Romantic stories for The magazines. And yet this Easter nest Seems truly to suggest A tender thought Of mated love and home. Well—wonders sometimes come Undreamed, unsought! How soon my hope would crack The shell that holds it back, And fly to her. as A DISSECTING OPINION. The lights were out and the students. had departed. “ Bones!” sounded in a cadaver- ous voice from a draped corner of the room. ““ What's wanted?” grumbled Boues, with a rattle. “Did you hear what one of the students said about A. Comstock?” “No; this fellow next to me keeps. up such a continual clatter I never hear anything.” “He said that Anthony had issued an edict forbidding the study of physi- ology and natural history in the medi- nal college: “Tam glad of it. That will give He deserves to become one of us. Let's vote him in and round with the papers.” us at rest send death “Bones! * Well, what's the matter nbw “It's evident you don’t know 4 allow himself to be taken in like th: “Like what?” “And run the risk of becoming a vulgar, unclothed skeleton? Anthony will never die and take such chances. He will be translated by legislative power, ct, ina dress suit. with plug hatand kid gloves. ithony. Do you think he would THE KIND OF A CAVALIER SHE ELOPED WITH. Min. Rockynearr “Sit up straight, and as cme to ue as you can, Elvira! | believe the old man is going to shoot, comicbooks.com