The Wasp — 1896 — page 318: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains several satirical pieces targeting California political and religious figures circa the late 1800s. **"Escaped"** is a poem mocking romantic idealization, illustrated with a couple in a domestic scene. **"Bob Ingersoll"** section criticizes Robert Ingersoll's proposed scheme to convert church property into secular buildings. The text argues this represents wasteful capital misuse and exposes anti-religious bias among clergy. **"Chauncey Depew"** praises the railroad executive's publicity tour promoting California, using flowery language about his eloquence and influence. **Lower cartoon "Hit the Nail on the Head"** appears to satirize someone's profession or role through brief dialogue. The page also includes notices about a baseball game for the Mercantile Library and an advertisement for "Value of Gold" as a digestive aid. The overall tone is politically conservative, defending religious institutions against reformist critique.