Puck, 1878-12-25 · page 3 of 16
Puck — December 25, 1878 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a satirical poem about Christmas rather than a political cartoon. The illustration shows Santa's sleigh flying over a winter landscape with soldiers and military encampments below. The poem satirizes the fixed timing of Christmas, proposing it could be moved—to summer, March, or August—to provide "variety" and better timing (like during flu season for morale). The poem jokes that Christmas is immovable despite practical arguments for relocation. The military imagery in the illustration likely reflects WWI-era concerns, suggesting the poem was written during wartime when the holiday's fixed observance seemed inflexible compared to actual needs. The final lines appeal to Christmas's universal value across religious groups ("Pagan, Christian, Jew"), emphasizing its importance to society's wellbeing.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Made, as per ordinance and regulation, One week exactly ere the circling year Has finished circling. It is rather queer That festival never changes its location. ’Twould give variety to conversation, A little chronological variation— Could we but say, when summer skies are clear, . Christmas is come ! Why could it not, in sweet consolidation, Join Washington's Birthday? Why not fix its station Somewhere in March? Bringing its famed good cheer When Influenza rules the chill earth drear. Oh, could we but in August tell the nation: Christmas is come! Ring, while your Patron Spirit roams The earth, and sees, upon his tour, The empty stockings of the poor And affluent love in happier homes. There is no snow upon the ground; So Puck can’t ask the Christmas Bell To ring across it. Might as well Ask it o'er violets to sound. Ring in one day: (too soon to flit!) Of rest to Pagan, Christian, Jew— What would the world be without you, Aad without Puck to-brighten it? Yet ring, O Bell of ‘Christmas-time! For the world needs a holiday: Those who pray not and those who pray Have worked since last they heard your chime. comicbooks.com