Judge, 1916-03-25 · page 8 of 28
Judge — March 25, 1916 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from the satirical magazine Judge contains several distinct pieces of social commentary typical of early 20th-century American humor. **"Not Such a Fool"** satirizes the assumption that poverty equals stupidity. A man labeled a "town fool" dies with an above-average brain weight, yet his real "foolishness" was depending on wealthy relatives rather than using his own mind. The joke: accepting financial dependence requires more stupidity than actual mental deficiency. **"Go Out in the Garden, Maud"** mocks contradictory Victorian advice given to women about outdoor activities. Each stanza tells Maud to go outside wearing increasingly contradictory clothing—simultaneously thin and thick garments, suggesting the absurd, conflicting expectations placed on women regarding propriety and health. The **"Tips"** and **"Rondeaux of Gardens"** sections offer light aphorisms and poetry about social behavior and gardening disappointments. The sketch at bottom shows a domestic conversation questioning whether a child inherited his father's artistic temperament, with class implications about inherited traits and "touch wood" superstition.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Wena elon ny fae Not Such a Fool S6¢LTERE'S a strange case,” said Mrs. Spotter to her husband. “A man they called the town fool up in New Hampshire died, and they weighed his brain. It was heavier than the average.” “Ts that all it says about him?” “Ves—except that he was for many yed entirely dependent on well-to-do relatives.” “Huh—he was no fool. If you have well-to-do relatives, why “usc your brair Go Out in the Garden, Maud! O OUT in the garden, Maud, Go out and get the air | Perchance the sun is shining, Perchance the sky is fair, Or else the raia is pouring, Or snowflakes dropping there! Go out in the garden, Maud, And look for tender shoots; Perchance the birds are trilling Like animated flutes— But you'd better take your skates, Also your rubber boots. Go out in the garden, Maud, And wear your thinnest tulle, your ear-laps And keep your mittens full; You'll need your fan and sunshade, And coat of thickest wool! Go out in the garden, Maud, And try your brand new skis; You'd better take your rubbers, And creepers, lest it freeze, Also take the garden hoe To plant the early peas Go out in the garden, Maud, And feel the cold blasts blow, And breathe the balmy breezes, And watch the tulips grow, And sce the hail and sunshine, And rain and mud and si rm rinanetir ea ing Tips Everything comes to him who takes. To sin is human; to be found out a crime. You consider a man “nouveau riche" if he made his money a year after you did. When a woman of another: “She's ; She's only fifty,” depend on it she’s y-nine. Some people have feelings, and some have watery Un lies the head that wears a “‘tou- Kisses, like clothes, are purely a matter of taste. Most of us are not at home when our con- science calls. Discontent is the growing-pain of ambi- tion. When in doubt, keep quict! After-dinner speeches are what guests say about you on the way home. The only big things about small natures are their mistakes. One touch of romance makes a fat girl thin. Platonic friendship is love on an enforced dict. The climber on the social ladder must ex- pect a few sharp splinters. We are unaware that some pcople have minds until they lose them. Procrastination is the mother of failure. your Her brother His sister Does Bobbie seem to inherit any of his father’s artistic temperament ? Not so far; but I suppose I ought to touch wood. Embrace your opportunity and the world will ask your intentions. At a wedding congratulate the bride and wish the groom luck. Fair exchange is no busines “ Know thyself!” And if we did, how many of us would acknowledge the introduction? Some people think being rude in a confi- q dential manner is honesty. Money makes the mare go, but it helps keep the cook. Tiolet M. LeRoy. Rondcaux of Gardens When buds and grass begin to grow We set the stage for summer's show The catalogues that came betimes Soon lured away our treasured dimes For seeds with which the ground to sow. We quickly let the neighbors know That other folk their horns can blow, No rival's rose e’er higher climbs, Or so we say. August Alas! The blights are far from slow And bugs just keep us on th All summer long. You mention limes, To get enough w forced to crimes, Or so we say. —Kate B. Burton. Modern Version Thirteen men in their Sunday best, Yo ho! and a cup of tea! RRQ OO comicbooks.com