Judge, 1900-08-11 · page 5 of 20
Judge — August 11, 1900 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Judge* magazine contains several satirical pieces lampooning American society circa early 1900s: **Top illustration**: "Shakespeare in Possumville" mocks rural theatrical pretensions—a small-town dramatic club's amateur production of *King Lear*, with the cast taking curtain calls. The satire targets unsophisticated audiences treating mediocre local performances as high art. **"Studies in Unnatural History"**: Philosophers debate whether "humbugs" (fraudsters/deceivers) truly exist—ironic commentary on widespread con artists and charlatans in society. **"The Cause of It"**: A wealthy nouveau-riche woman's arrogance stems from her father's brass-dealing business, mocking the pretensions of the newly rich. **"The Boston Boy"**: Satirizes precocious children who affect superior knowledge and refuse to share information—poking fun at insufferable young show-offs. Additional items include sentimental verses about "Joy" and "Laughter," plus advertisements for novelty corkscrews. The page reflects *Judge's* satirical focus on American social climbing, cultural affectation, and urban wit.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SHAKESPEARE IN POSSUMVILLE. Possumville dramatic club performs ** King Lear” in the new Possumville opera-house. The whole cast is called before the curtain and Miss Cordelia is pre- sented with some flowers, STUDIES IN UNNATURAL HISTORY. THE CAUSE OF IT. THE HUMBUG, #6\AISS NEWRICH has a tremendous amount of ALTHOUGH a earned entomologist assurance: May doubt if humbugs really do exist, Yet each of us, I'm sure, can truly say We've seen a number of them in our day. But are they real? Ah, well, a mind judicial Perhaps would call them false and artificial. CAROLYN WELL, LONG PERIOD. Mother (at the door)—" If you children are not quiet in five minutes you will have to go to bed.” Small voice (after a pause) —* What time is it now?” “Well, rather; her father was a dealer in old brass.” SOUVENIR CORKSCREW. 74S : Manufactured by the Mus- % Keeter silver company, Flat- land, New Jersey. JOY. —— Jor is like a maid you're eed Ba You will meet her face to face, THE BOSTON BOY—OF COURSE. LAUGHTER -has been Lite cir.—" Oh, goody ! I know something I sha'n't ANOTHER TESTIMONIAL. called the religion of to- tell.” Sec Hanoi Mereoitit BraN—"' Quite likely; we all acquit “These rabbit-feet are lucky things to have along with day. Like all fake religionsits ynowledge that we are prone to Teep concesed in the confines you, sure ; "specially when you're traveling.” Priests have least faith in it. of the mind. comicbooks.com