The Wasp — 1914 — page 13: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a title page and introductory material for *The Wasp*, an American satirical magazine. The ornamental poem at top establishes the publication's adventure-focused editorial voice, invoking exotic maritime imagery ("sea-room," "spices on the tide," "salt sailor fare"). The prose below introduces the serialized story "The Wasp," beginning with protagonist James Burnham in London during October 1698. The narrative setup—involving jailbirds from Newgate Prison and their guards—suggests this will be a picaresque adventure tale. The page contains no visible political cartoons or caricatures. Rather, it functions as a literary title page, promising readers an "honest tale" featuring "good men and bad" engaged in roguish escapades. This reflects *The Wasp's* likely mixed editorial content combining satirical commentary with serialized fiction.