Puppets at Large: Scenes and Subjects from Mr Punch's Show

"Puppets at Large: Scenes and Subjects from Mr. Punch's Show" by F. Anstey is a set of funny stories that makes fun of different parts of society in the late 1800s. It looks at different situations and people with a funny and light attitude. The book uses funny writing and pictures to make readers laugh at what it notices about life in Britain, such as the opening story of tourists at Dulchester Cathedral where a tour guide tries to teach a bunch of easily distracted personalities by sharing the history of the Cathedral. The funny part comes from how different the tourists are, with each person adding their own funny misunderstandings, creating a funny picture of being a tourist. These opening descriptions set the tone for the rest of the stories, showing the ways Anstey blends what he sees with silly ideas.