Puck — March 19, 1879 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon satirizes what appears to be financial or property fraud involving the Church. The left panel shows religious figures (identifiable by crosses on their vestments) entangled with chains labeled "Mortgaged," suggesting the Church's financial troubles or debt. The upper right panel depicts a damaged church building with similar labels, captioned "It is enough to stagger the Church itself." The bottom right panels show what appears to be an Archbishop or high church official in compromising positions, with text reading "Now reverse the rules, and let the Archbishop confess to his ruined depositors." The overall message criticizes church leadership for mishandling funds or engaging in financial misconduct while maintaining their authority. The title suggests covering up or minimizing ("soothing") what is essentially a "swindle"—fraud involving church finances and depositors' trust.