Judge, 1892-12-03 · page 35 of 52
Judge — December 3, 1892 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Judge* contains several brief satirical sketches about Victorian-era domestic life and consumer culture: **Top illustration**: "The Double Tragedy at Biffany's" mocks the practice of returning wedding gifts. A woman discovers that a luxury goods store (likely parodying Tiffany's) will only refund half the gift's value, making returns economically unwise—a "tragedy" for both the gift-giver's gratitude and the recipient's finances. **Lower sketches** address marital friction: a husband blames his wife for giving him a pipe he's over-smoking; a couple debates Christmas wedding timing (she wants to avoid doubling gift-giving); a father wants children's gifts that are quiet; and wives discuss a magazine about repurposing old clothing. The satire targets **consumer culture expectations**, **gender roles in marriage** (wives blamed for husbands' habits; wives managing domestic economy), and the **emerging middle-class anxiety** about proper etiquette, gift-giving, and spending during the Victorian holiday season.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE DOUBLE TRAGEDY AT BIFFANY'S. Why, my dear Mrs, Pelham! This is truly an unexpected pleasure, and I haven't had a chance yet to thank you on my daughter's candelabra you sent her for a wedding present. “*Very sorry, ma'am, but the manager says that he can give you but one-half of the cash price if you wish to return the canullesticks. ‘They're all out of stv! LAYING THE BLAME. Mrs. “ My dear, I'm afraid you're smoking too much, never used to have the pipe in your mouth as you do of late.” Newed —" When will you women ever learn any sense? Didn't you give me the pipe for Christmas, and ain't I trying all 1 know how to You color it?" THAT WOULD NOT SUIT. T'S be married on Christmas, darling.” said the impetuous young er Miss Fosdick had said yes. “No, indeed!” replied the far-sighted young girl. of presents.”” “Vd lose one set HIS CHOICE. SS YVHAT shall we get for Freddy for Christmas, dear?” asked per- plexed Mrs. Fangle “Oh.” replied Fangle, “anything that doesn’t make a noise.” A LONG-FELT WANT. Ars, Dorcas—"\ do think the Ladies’ Spare Time is the best maga- In the current number it shows you how to make a ppers out of an old flannel shirt.” Mrs, Newed—" But wouldn't that be difficul Mrs. Dorcas—" Not in the least. If you make them too large you have only to soak them in water till they shrink to the proper size.” zine | ever sai lovely pair of s comicbooks.com