The Wasp — 1896 — page 55: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains several distinct satirical pieces rather than a single unified cartoon: **"Cold Comfort"** (upper left): A poem mocking Dr. Brown's moral preaching, suggesting his advice to avoid blackmail and jail is hypocritical—the implication being that he himself may have moral failings. **"Proof Positive"** (lower left): A dialogue cartoon where a pastor is suspected of impropriety, with the joke hinging on the pastor's defensive response about being seen with a woman at a hotel. **"The Text Book Steal"** and other sections discuss state government corruption—specifically Governor Budd's alleged misappropriation of printing money and questionable text-book procurement. The overall theme is satirizing hypocrisy among authority figures (clergy, politicians) and exposing financial corruption in state institutions. The humor relies on readers recognizing specific local scandals and public figures referenced.