Puck, 1877-09-26 · page 5 of 16
Puck — September 26, 1877 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a satirical 13-panel narrative about "Montmorency Smith," an amateur gymnast who obsessively pursues muscular development through increasingly extreme training methods. The joke mocks the turn-of-the-century fitness craze and bodybuilding culture. Smith progresses from basic exercises to absurd extremes—lifting dumbbells, striking poses, eventually supporting his entire household on his shoulders. The satire peaks when he discovers butter "stronger than himself" (panel 10), suggesting that dietary substance matters more than muscle alone. The final panels show his muscular development attracts unwanted consequences: crowds, chaos, and financial burden. The Latin caption "Gymnasium adornatum" (adorned gymnasium) suggests the hollow vanity underlying obsessive bodybuilding. The satire critiques both the fitness obsession and its social disruptions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
. PUCK. ’. | ) 1. Montmorency Smith, the 2. He begins his customary nocturnal exer- 3. Montmorency Smith's method of develop- gymnast, prepares to retire, ises in muscular Christianity. ing the biceps. 7. There is a highly re- 8. But the gymnast : 10. Montmorency Smith strikessome- spectable family living under- ursues the even tenor of thing stronger than himself—namely, neath Montmorency Smith. his way— butter, Se SS & 1 11, Interesting genre picture, showing . Montmorency Smith deems it time to 13. Tableat Ge TS. lepart. rym Montmorency Smith’s reception. nasium adjourned,) comicbooks.com