Puck, 1879-10-01 · page 5 of 18
Puck — October 1, 1879 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a serialized humorous story in verse, illustrated with comic panels. The narrative follows a hapless nursemaid who must care for an infant while dealing with various domestic mishaps—a candle blowing out, a fire, a water bucket mishap, and ultimately delivering the baby to its parents. The "Simian" in the title suggests mockery of someone through animal comparison, though the specific political target is unclear from this page alone. The story appears primarily comedic rather than overtly political satire, focusing on slapstick domestic chaos and the nursemaid's incompetence. The illustrations use exaggerated expressions and physical comedy typical of Puck's satirical style, but this particular installment emphasizes entertainment over pointed social commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
PUCK. ‘That Dr. Schmitt a rotund nursemaid had We know already. Well, one habit bad ‘This buxom maid possessed—she lay in bed, A tallow candle by her side, and read. ‘About her brow was bound a crimson band- anna. She held a novel in her hand. And one night, as she dozed, the treacherous leaf Blew in the candle’s flame. Let us be brief. Before a fleeting second’s termination She had her own Chicago conflagration. — That hapless nursemaid. ‘Through the mansion went ‘What papers call «“ the devouring element.” Out rushed the Doctor—out into the night— Saving one bootjack in his hasty fight. PART VIII. a tbe Ue Seg Uae Rauas GRA ic ali Genel Meanwhile the hapless parents, safe though they be, Moan wildly in their anguish: But cast your eyes above! Oar hero's form Is seen agaivst a background ratherish warm. He holds the baby in his arms, and leaps ‘The nursemaid saves herself; but, as you see, With some small sacrifice of dignity, To a tree hard by, while still that baby sleeps. And backward down the tree doth he begin With tenderest care laboriously to shin And lays that infant at its parents’ feet— Also the sucking-bottle, saved complete. ‘This shows him in a light ne'er seen before, A light of which you will not see much more. This quenches her; but spoils the water-butt. [More Hereafter. comicbooks.com