Judge, 1927-06-04 · page 9 of 36
Judge — June 4, 1927 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Judge Magazine Page Analysis This page contains two satirical pieces: **"The Wisdom of Satan"** presents a humorous afterlife scenario where Mrs. Wilberforce Hutchison, a society hostess, arrives in Hell convicted of "Horrible Hospitality"—forcing dinner guests to overeat despite protests. Satan's punishment is poetic justice: she must consume massive quantities of food repeatedly until she can't protest, with magical "Forcible Feeding Imps" enforcing compliance if needed. The satire targets upper-class social conventions and the aggressive etiquette of wealthy hostesses who used elaborate meals as status displays. **"Art Is Long"** (a title referencing the famous phrase) is a brief anecdote by Jack Shuttleworth about George, who abandoned government engraving work for the Treasury Department to start his own business—and ended up imprisoned on a chain gang in Atlanta. The joke satirizes the irony of seeking independence from government work, only to face far worse consequences. Both pieces use dark humor typical of early-20th-century Judge satire, targeting social pretension and the consequences of personal choices.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
JUDGE The Wisdom of Satan It was a busy afternoon in Hades. A new consignment of Lost Souls had just been ferried over the Styx and Satan was working at top speed. “Arrival No. 3261,” said the First Assistant Devil, “Mrs. Wil- berforce Hutchison, well-known hostess, famous for her dinner parties and splendid cooking.” “Mrs. Hutchison id Satan, consulting his asbestos card file, “according to your record you are ity of forcing your guests to take second and third helpings of food despite their pitiful protests that they were completely filled. In other words, you are guilty of Horrible Hospitality, one of so- ciety’s most heinous crimes. Mrs. Hutchison nodded her head in tearful assent, as Satan took up his dictating machine and spoke: “Memo to Third Level Warden: In the case of Mrs. Hutchison, convicted of Horrible Hospitality ; compel her to eat four helpings of hors d’wuvre, six plates of soup, five portions of roast and four desserts th times daily until further noti, Should she protest that she is unable to eat another crumb, bind her hands and feet and send for the Forcible Feeding Imps at once.” —Arrucer L, Lirpmaxn Turkish Trophies. Art Is Long you heard about ar Whipple. ure,” I said, “he landed a i job with the Government. Mak- ing steel engravings for the Treasury Department, wasn’t it?” “Yes,” Oscar answered. *s what he worked at for awhile, but now he’s working on the rock pile in Atlanta.” “Good Lord!” I exclaimed. “Poor old George! What in heaven’s name did he d “Well,” said Oscar, “George liked engraving all right, but he didn’t like doing it for the Government, so he started in business for himself.” | —Jack SuvrrLeworru comicbooks.com