Judge — December 10, 1892 — page 18: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Judge cartoon series satirizes the relationship between a woman (representing "the modern maiden") and a bear (representing "the ancient bear," likely tsarist Russia). The six panels show a progression where the woman progressively embraces and restrains the bear, with captions like "It's foolish to quarrel any longer, Tom," "I think it is sweet in you to make up so quickly," and "Tighter yet, darling!" The satire appears to mock diplomatic reconciliation or rapprochement—specifically, a woman willingly becoming closer to a dangerous, powerful force. The "modern maiden's" increasing affection toward the threatening bear suggests naïveté or folly in trusting an inherently dangerous adversary. This likely references early 20th-century U.S.-Russian relations, where American attitudes toward Russia shifted between suspicion and attempted cooperation.