Judge, 1905-12-09 · page 16 of 17
Judge — December 9, 1905 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a sequential comic strip following "Nervy Nat," an apparently well-connected British social climber who impersonates a peer (Lord Pushfayce) to secure passage on a steamship to Europe. The humor relies on class satire: Nat repeatedly attempts to exploit his connections and social status, but his deceptions unravel. When confronted by the captain, Nat's false identity is exposed. He's exposed as an "infernal impostor" and forced to work below decks—the ultimate humiliation for someone pretending to aristocratic standing. The final panel suggests ironic redemption: despite his comeuppance, Nat finds satisfaction in honest labor ("a gladsome sight"), contrasting his earlier social pretension with working-class authenticity. The strip mocks both social climbers and the rigid class hierarchies that make such imposture possible, a common Judge magazine theme.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Nenvy Nat— The traveler tarrieth for a parting nip of ‘red optic." Silly traveler! Look not upon the high-ball when pursuing the packet.”” Tue cartain—" | beg pardon; but you have taken the seat reserved Nervy Nar—"' Wretched nuisance golng over 80 often—wish the for Lord Pushfay prime minister could run the old government without sending for me. Nervy Nat—"' have; captain; | am hel 1 see you are not ac- Serves me jolly well right, 1 for ever going into politics! Sup- quainted with the features of the peera: pose I'll have to sit at the captain's table afd talk to the bally old Juggins.”” ‘Tue cartain—'* You're an infernal impostor, sir! 1 know Lord Pushfayce well. Steward. call the purser. We'll see to this. | don't believe you've bought your passage!” ‘Tae cAPrAne “To the fofc'sle with him and set him to work!" Ab, tn steht of sod in! A gladsome sight after Navy Nat—"Horrors! where have | heard that beastly word be- manicuring these decks for a week. The folks over in dear old may not be so well-to-do, but I've heard they are more easy-to-do. I'l! fore?” ComrmienT 1904 By JUDGE COMPANY PUBLISNEAS, 226 FOURTH AVE. WEW YORK Ghaslionn Weare c eat acy see Bubonic with such an trritable old sea- NERVY NAT, BY A RATHER SINGULAR ACCIDENT, FINDS HIMSELF EN ROUTE F FOR EUROPE. comicbooks.com