A Bear, what is it but a surly brute? American wit and humor. Etiquette for men -- Caricatures and cartoons. Courtship -- Caricatures and cartoons. A man in a coat and top hat and bear are separated by bars. The man's head is turned away from the bear and the bear is looking at the man. The text characterizes the man as having dangerous animal qualities, and the placement of the two figures poses the question of who is really the beast in a cage. Text: A Bear, what is it but a surly brute? / A pestto women, above dispute, / A surly brute are you, none can deny, / Also a nuisance to society, / Therefore, old Growler, I do decline / To Bruin be a Valentine. Provenance: Helfand, William H.. [S.l. : s.n.] [between 1840 and 1880?] Caricatures and cartoons. Comic valentines. digitool:69877 Comic Valentines, 14.10