The Wasp, 1913 · page 21 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be a narrative or dialogue excerpt rather than a political cartoon. The text depicts a conversation between characters named Burnham and Stow regarding a voyage to Jamaica. Stow is explaining that Burnham will receive 500 guineas in Kingston to enter trade with a sugar exporter named Angus McLatchy. The passage's satirical thrust lies in Stow's cynical warning: Burnham will either multiply his wealth through legitimate trade or squander it on vice. More pointedly, Stow threatens that if Burnham ever returns to England—rich or poor—he'll be imprisoned. Without seeing the accompanying illustration or knowing *The Wasp*'s publication date, the specific political context remains unclear. This likely satirizes colonial commerce, emigration schemes, or business corruption of the era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
20 THE WASP the wench is not to go with ye. Mark that, Master James!” “To thunder with the wench!” exclaimed Burn- ham with a twisted mouth and a cross-glint of his pale eyes, as if he were trying to look at his own nose. “‘She has flown the cage already, my good Stow. But will you condescend to tell me some- thing more of my fate? I am bound for Jamaica, you say. What am I to do in Jamaica? Manufac- ture rum? Govern the island? « Name it.” “When ye go ashore in Kingston, ye and the shipmaster will report to Mr. Angus McLatchy, sugar exporter, and the shipmaster will then put five hundred guineas into yer hands,” answered Stow. “Five hundred guineas—and ye’ll never see another shilling of yer poor father’s money. Ye’ll associate in trade with the worthy McLatchy, and multiply those guineas, or ye’ll squander the money with the swine and the husks and rot in the mire— it’s all one to us. But if ever ye come home to England, rich or poor, ye'll be clapped into prison Comicooks.com