Puck — February 12, 1879 — page 5: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a caricature from Puck's "Pantheon" series, section I, depicting a figure identified by initials "S.J.T." The man wears formal Victorian attire—top hat, tailcoat, and carries a monocle on a chain—presenting himself as a gentleman of means or influence. The caption reads: "I assure you, my dear friends, it was that naughty Pelton boy did it all!" The satire suggests this dignified figure is deflecting blame onto someone named Pelton. Without additional context, the specific political or social scandal referenced remains unclear, though the cartoon mocks how powerful or prominent individuals might scapegoat others to preserve their reputation. The elaborate formal dress emphasizes his pretension to respectability while attempting to evade accountability.