A complete issue · 16 pages · 1893
Judge — February 25, 1893
# "The Old Hoop-Skirt Is Coming Into Fashion Again" This 1893 *Judge* cartoon satirizes the cyclical nature of women's fashion. The central figure wears an exaggerated hoop-skirt (a dome-shaped petticoat structure popular decades earlier), accompanied by onlookers in contemporary dress who appear amused or bewildered by the revival. The satire targets two things: the absurdity of fashion cycles that resurrect uncomfortable, impractical styles, and perhaps women's supposed susceptibility to such trends. The grotesquely oversized skirt and the caricatured reactions suggest the cartoonist views this fashion return as ridiculous. The onlookers' varied expressions—from interest to skepticism—indicate social commentary on changing tastes and the fashion industry's influence on women's clothing choices.
# "Darktown Enterprise" Cartoon Analysis This cartoon depicts a street scene with a Black man operating a makeshift barber stand, labeled "Darktown Enterprise." The figure appears to be shaving a customer using crude implements near storefronts. The satire reflects late-19th-century *Judge* magazine's racial humor, which stereotyped African Americans through caricature. The "darktown" framing—common in period publications—presented Black urban life as comical and improvised. The makeshift barber setup mocks both the entrepreneur's ambitions and working-class Black business ventures. The accompanying text quotes suggest commentary on urban enterprise and self-improvement, though the visual presentation relies on racist caricature typical of the era. This represents problematic historical humor that Judge's audience would have found entertaining.
# Page 121: Breaking the Record This page contains miscellaneous satirical commentary and illustrations typical of Judge magazine's format. **Top cartoons**: Depict ice-skating scenes with captions about "sliding" and "breaking records," using winter sports as metaphors for social behavior—likely commentary on competitive excess or reckless ambition. **Text sections** address contemporary issues: cabinet salary insufficiency, government inefficiency, and Hawaii policy. One notable passage criticizes exclusionary laws targeting Chinese immigrants, questioning whether reviving "the Chinese and negro questions" is wise policy. **"A Sickening Peace"** section discusses Britain and Hawaii, appearing to reference diplomatic tensions or colonial disputes. **Lower cartoon** ("Where the Difference Came In") shows a domestic scene with a clock, likely satirizing class differences or marital discord. The page reflects Judge's typical blend of political critique, social commentary, and visual humor aimed at educated, middle-class readers.
