Judge — September 9, 1882 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "At the Confessional" - The Judge, September 9, 1882 This cartoon satirizes confession in the Catholic Church. A man kneels at the confessional booth, appearing to confess sins to a priest. A sign reads "NOW IS THE TIME TO CONFESS" with what appears to be a name reference (partially legible). The satire likely targets either: - Hypocrisy of prominent figures seeking absolution while continuing questionable practices - General mockery of the confession sacrament as ineffective for genuine moral reform - A specific political scandal where a notable figure sought religious forgiveness The cartoon's humor depends on recognizing the figure being confessed or the reference on the sign—details unclear from this image alone. The elaborate setup and prominent placement suggests this was commentary on a recognizable contemporary scandal or public figure.