Judge — September 10, 1898 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains two related satirical panels by Victor Gillam from Judge magazine (1898). Both depict a demonic or devilish figure labeled "The King" in his "counting-house" (top) and later in a garden (bottom), where a maid hangs clothes. The cartoons appear to satirize political corruption or mismanagement—likely targeting a specific political leader or governmental figure of 1898. The King character, with exaggerated demonic features, represents corrupt authority hoarding money and resources while common people (represented by the maid) labor. The progression from counting money to laundry suggests the contrast between ill-gotten wealth and honest work. Without additional context about 1898 politics, the specific target remains unclear, but the satire clearly criticizes governmental greed and exploitation of the working class.