Judge, 1916-12-23 · page 8 of 32
Judge — December 23, 1916 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two satirical pieces from *Judge* magazine critiquing early 20th-century American life: **"Education and Peril"** mocks progressive educational theory. A father complains that modern primers teach reading through full sentences ("It is a cat") rather than mastering the alphabet first. He argues this impractical approach—justified by educators as avoiding "danger"—produces incompetent adults (like an office boy who can't alphabetize). The satire targets reformers who abandon proven fundamentals in favor of trendy, vague pedagogical ideas that ultimately harm students' practical skills. **"Christmas Day Aftermath"** and the accompanying cartoon satirize consumerism and cluttered domesticity. A mother with twelve children complains about receiving useless novelty gifts—"rare" junk marketed as "unique" or "artistic"—rather than practical items. The cartoon depicts a visit to get children photographed, reducing them to commodities. Together these pieces critique commercialization, conspicuous consumption, and the gap between marketing hype and actual value in Gilded Age America.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
EDUCATION AND PERIL By TOD CHENEVIX “ F ALL the fool systems!” ex- claimed father. What is the matter now?” asked mother. “Look at this primer. It reads as if the alphabet were dangerous. “What are you talking about? A primer begins with the alphabet.” “Now you are wrong. Our primers did, but this is for our children.” this begin?” ins that the proper way is to begin with ‘It is,’ ‘It is a cat.’" “Well, but doesn’t the alphabet come before that?” “Yes, but ‘only for reference.’ It is not taught before.” That is strange! “No, no, not at all. It is explained that there is danger in teaching it.” “How ‘danger’?”” “That is not made clear. But the al- phabet may be learned later.” “Oh, then that scems all right, as long as it is learne “But it isn’t learned. should it not be at the st. “Why, probably it interferes progress.”” “Did it interfere with your progress when you went to school?” “How can I tell? It may be if I had And why with neglected it I should now be a great scholar.” Since when did schola on neglecting fundamental ship depend “Oh, I don’t know. But we must keep w with the times.”” “The ‘times’ be hanged, or else keep up with us!” “Aren't: you making much fuss over nothing “How ‘noth- ing’? Didn’t the office-boy to-day take half an hour to find a name in the directory? Is he ever able to look up a_ tele- phone number? Can he by any possibility logate a particular let- ter in the file in- dex? Would I expect him to dis- cover the alpha- betical order of any given word in the di tionary? And all because, as I have a last taken the trouble to ascertain, be- cause he does not know his alphabet well enough to tell what letter comes after another! “It is plain he was taught that the al- phabet was danggrous, and he has been mighty careful not to let it bite him. But he will have a chance to let it cat out of his hand pretty soon if he expects to hold down his job with us! Haid Cmaeees Ae Corea > EN BLOC Mother of tweloe—That’s a bargain. Now that I've got you children lown-town I'll have your picture taken. Christmas Day Aftermath COURSE, it was just as I 'spected! The Christmas brought oodles of junk. ‘The trumpery I have collected !— Oh, well, Lought not to show spunk, But those “‘rare"” and “distinctive” con- traptions, ‘Those gifts called “ unusual” and “quaint,” Are only old foes with new captions; They say they are “different.” ain't!) (They My very soul feels pugilistic At “‘trifles with Christmas ap- peal’ And at “gifties unique and artistic,” I just want to perfectly squeal! velty” frights of door- Boudoir trash, of gold lace de /ure! And I'd rather some good shilling shockers Than all of those gladiose books. “Rare” pieces of rubbishy metal Stand smug in a fatuous range; (I'd welcome a knitted wool kett Or an antique bronze muff, for a change!) T loathe that Doll Telephone Cover; But the very worst nuisance yet, Are the Book-ends that always tip over, And the Door-stops that always upset! Tam not ungrateful. Don’t think it I don’t mean to be, anyhow. But I haven't got room for one trin- ket, The house is so full of them now! fou coming to the meeting for the protection of homeless Violette—Oh, Gladys dear, aren't I am sorry, but I can’t leave Fifi alone. children ? ladys—No. —Carolyn Wells.