Puck — April 9, 1879 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains two distinct satirical cartoons about licensing and regulation. The upper left cartoon, titled "Too much Philoprogenitiveness," depicts a woman with multiple children, satirizing excessive childbearing. The central cartoon, "Liquid Poison—Licensed," shows what appears to be a critique of alcohol regulation. It depicts men examining or distributing bottles, suggesting satire about government licensing of alcohol sales—likely commentary on how official licensing legitimizes a harmful substance the cartoonist considers "poison." The right panel shows well-dressed men (possibly politicians or officials) gathered around, apparently approving or profiting from these licensed products, implying corruption or hypocrisy in the regulatory system. The bottom figure appears separate, possibly an unrelated illustration or advertisement. The overall message critiques how government licensing can legitimize potentially harmful practices or substances through official sanction.