Puck — July 2, 1879 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Puck page satirizes the jury system through multiple scenes. The top panel shows "A fit Juror to decide upon Rival Medical Theories"—depicting jurors with exaggerated, grotesque faces, suggesting ordinary citizens lack competence to judge complex expert testimony. The circular inset mocks "Indignation—Change of Venue," where a judge notes too many schools and newspapers exist locally to secure an impartial jury, highlighting how publicity compromises fair trials. Lower panels show attorneys manipulating jurors and evidence, with dialogue about moving trials to avoid educated jurors—the final panel warns a lawyer that changing venue to escape scrutiny will only increase trial costs. The satire criticizes both juror incompetence and legal manipulation of the system.