Puck — June 18, 1879 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contrasts American religious and secular life through two scenes titled "Sunday Rest." **Top panel**: Shows a church interior where worshippers sit in pews while a clergyman preaches. A bustling street scene visible through the arch depicts commerce and activity continuing outside. **Bottom panel**: Depicts a saloon where people drink and socialize, with a sign advertising "Wine, Liquor on Sunday" visible outside. **The satire**: The cartoon critiques the hypocrisy of American Sunday observance laws. While churches preach moral rest and religious devotion, saloons openly conduct business on the Sabbath. The caption "The Old and New America" suggests tension between traditional religious values and emerging secular commercial culture that ignores religious restrictions on Sunday activity.