Judge — February 12, 1916 — page 3: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a Robert Cobell sketch titled "Near the Waldorf, New York, in Winter." The cartoon depicts a wealthy woman (likely Mrs. Rox, referenced in the dialogue) conducting a winter charity event near the exclusive Waldorf Hotel. The scene shows crowds of poor citizens gathered in snowy conditions. The satire targets hypocrisy in charitable giving: Irene notes Mrs. Rox is "giving an affair for charity at the Waldorf," while Fred cynically observes she won't do charity at her own home, concluding "You know charity begins at home." The joke mocks the performative nature of public philanthropy—wealthy donors prefer visible, prestigious venues where their generosity earns social recognition, rather than genuine private charity. The contrast between the ostentatious setting and actual charitable need underscores the critique of self-serving benevolence.