A complete issue · 16 pages · 1878
Puck — December 11, 1878
# "On the Wrong Scent" This December 1878 Puck cartoon satirizes what appears to be a famous criminal case or scandal involving someone named Mr. Stewart. Dogs (likely representing detectives or investigators) are following a scent at an "International Dairy Fair," sniffing around items like butter and limburger cheese. The joke plays on "scent" — both the literal smell the dogs follow and the figurative sense of being "on the scent" of a criminal. The dogs have pursued the wrong trail, distracted by the pungent dairy products rather than the actual suspect. Puck is mocking investigators or authorities for pursuing a false lead or mishandling evidence in what was apparently a well-known contemporary case.
# Analysis of Puck Page 2 This page contains primarily **text content rather than political cartoons**. The main article, "A Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish," satirizes European aristocratic entertainment coming to America. It mocks the idea of bringing European royalty (specifically referencing Bulgaria's "Hiram Ulysses" and various European nobles) to perform in American shows, suggesting such ventures would be absurd. The piece criticizes both European pretension and American fascination with titled foreigners, arguing that authentic American figures like Grant and Robeson would be far more worthy attractions than imported European nobility. The tone is dismissive toward both transatlantic snobbery and American gullibility regarding foreign aristocrats. The right column contains brief satirical observations labeled "Puckerings" on various social topics.
# Analysis of Puck Page 3 This page contains multiple satirical pieces targeting Congress and political figures of the era. **"The Slaughter of the Innocents"** appears to mock Congressional spending or legislative waste, using the biblical reference ironically to criticize government excess. **"What Goeth On at Present"** satirizes Congressional deliberations, suggesting political figures engage in frivolous debates about trivial matters (like lottery tickets and fashionable clothing) while serious national business waits. **"Puck's Essential Oil of Congress"** presents a condensed commentary on recent Senate proceedings, including references to Senator Edmonds and what appears to be debates over the Revised Statutes. The overall tone suggests frustration with Congress's productivity and priorities—a common Puck theme. The satirical pieces ridicule lawmakers for wasteful time-spending and ineffectual debate rather than substantive governance.
