The Wasp, 1918 · page 305 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 305: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be a narrative fiction piece rather than a political cartoon. The text describes the simultaneous disappearance of two characters: Mr. James Fitzwalter, a bookish lodger, and a bearded mariner known from the "Spotted Dog" tavern. The satire operates through character types rather than specific political figures. Fitzwalter represents respectable mediocrity—a "scratch-wig" gentleman of modest means and boring virtue. The mariner embodies a different stereotype: the mysterious, morally ambiguous tavern regular with a "silver-lined pocket" (suggesting ill-gotten wealth) and dangerous charisma. The joke appears to hinge on a revelation or twist—their simultaneous departures suggest either transformation or deception. The reference to James being "tired of life" and "heartily sick" of wickedness hints at moral reckoning or possible reinvention. Without seeing the complete narrative or subsequent pages, the specific satirical point remains unclear, though it likely mocks either hypocritical morality or the pretenses of Victorian gentlemen.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
XX Le ew ae See ey Mr. James Firzwatter, the bookish, middle- aged gentleman of the scratch-wig, humped shoulders, and decent blue coat, paid his bill and left his lodgings. He departed with his leather bag in his hand and two porters following with his boxes, and never again was he seen by - his landlady, nor by the little maid who had served his simple meals to him and blacked his square-toed shoes. | At the same time, in another quarter of the ~ town, a distinguished-looking stranger was missed from the foppish companies of certain ~ fashionable coffee-houses; and the “ Spotted Dog ”’ saw no more a particular bearded mariner ~ who had become famous in that infamous retreat - for his silver-lined pocket, his silent tongue, and his formidable eye. : James was tired of life. He had known little ‘in life save vileness, and of that he was now heartily sick. Wickedness had grown monot- onous to him. Now that his pockets were full 296 5 icomicbooks,