The Wasp, 1918 · page 182 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 182: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page appears to be from a serialized story or novella rather than a political cartoon. The text describes a ship scene where a character named Jim Burnham is being proposed for the position of quartermaster. The proposal sparks conflict among the crew—one sailor nominates Burnham despite his being a newcomer, while another crew member protests, accusing the first of "toadyism" (sycophancy) and insulting his ancestry. A brawl nearly erupts before suddenly dispersing. Without seeing accompanying illustrations, I cannot identify specific caricatures or political figures. The passage reads as adventure fiction set aboard a vessel, likely satirizing naval hierarchy, class conflict, or crew politics of the period. The exact satirical target remains unclear from text alone.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
: THE WASP 3 173, items of the plunder and said that the sharing would take place on the morrow. This, too, was well received. Next he asked the company’s pleasure as to the filling of the vacant berth of quartermaster. Some discussion followed in ragged whispers. Burnham paid no attention to the question and seemed unconscious of the discussion and the glances which were shot at him. He moved- away, turned his back on the captain and the company, and squared his elbows on the rail. He was coolly but elegantly attired and wore that murderous, straight rapier at his side in a scabbard of red Spanish leather. ““T says Jim Burnham!” cried a mahogany- faced fellow with a broken nose and a bandage around his head. | Another beauty gave voice at this in blasphemous protest. He did not approve of promoting a new hand and a stranger over the bloody heads of the tried and the true. He accused the gentleman of the broken nose of toadyism, and cast reflections on his ancestry. A clamour arose, and the crowd closed and surged forward. It expanded as suddenly as it had contracted, every man jumping away from his neighbours on the right and the left .comlicbooks.com