Judge, 1924-08-16 · page 8 of 36
Judge — August 16, 1924 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "The Modern Raleigh" Satire Explanation This sketch mocks the myth of Sir Walter Raleigh laying his coat over a puddle for Queen Elizabeth I. The "modern" version depicts a working-class man (rendered in dialect as "t'row" instead of "throw") who refuses the Queen's command, citing his good "Burberry" coat and claiming he didn't vote for her anyway. He dismisses her royal authority with casual disrespect. The satire attacks two targets: the romanticized legend of courtly chivalry and deference to aristocracy, and the modern working man's newfound democratic attitude—he owes nothing to a queen simply by birth. The character's refusal reflects early 20th-century class consciousness and diminished respect for inherited rank. His final quip about "the laundry" adds comedic practicality to the rebellion against romantic gesture.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
HEAvENITE (bored by eternity)—Come on, Jones—let’s get to hell out 0° here! Early Mail In days of old When knights were bold, And sheet-iron trousers wore, They lived in peace For then Would In those They had a craze For steel shirts, and they wore them: And there was bliss Enough in this— The laundry never tore them. ‘ears or more. The Poor Fish Pansy—Do pearls come from oysters? Violet—Sometimes. Mine came from a lobster. The Modern Raleigh Scene: A strect in London. Time: After a rainstorm. Enter: Queen Elizabeth from the left. Raleigh from the right. Raleigh—Hey, lady! Watch your step! There’s a mud puddle in front of you. Look out, lady! Elizabeth—Sir, throw your coat over the puddle! I desire to pass. Raleigh—Whazzat you sey, lady? Idon’t make you. Elizabeth—I ordered you to throw your coat over the puddle. I will walk across on it. Raleigh—What? T’row my coat over the puddle? Ha, ha! That's a hot one, that is—! I should t’row my good Burberry in a puddle for her to walk on! ‘Try some other bird, lady! I ain't week- ending from the nut factory. Elizabeth—Sir, do as I command you! [am the Queen of England! Raleigh—That ain’t my fault, old girl. I didn’t vote for you. Guess you'll have to swim this time! Elizabeth—Y ou refuse, then? Raleigh—Refuse? I should hope to tell you I refuse! I don’t do nothing else but! Elizabeth— Raleigh—Sorry, lady, but I must be popping. Toodloo, old thing! See you in the laundry! Epwin Rutt “Sister Bones, who was that gen'leman I seed y’ talkin’ to las’ night?” “Gwan! Dat wan't no gen’leman! Dat was a nordic!” comicbooks.com