The Wasp — 1876 — page 189: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page presents paired scenes contrasting American and European customs across various social domains. The title format—"[Activity] IN AMERICA" paired with "IN EUROPE"—suggests the cartoon critiques perceived differences between the two societies. The topics covered include oyster lawyers, Sunday morning leisure, art practice, reading rooms, and composers/printers at work. Each pairing appears to mock either American or European behavior through exaggerated depiction. Without clearer identification of specific figures or dated historical context, the precise political targets remain unclear. However, the overall structure suggests *The Wasp* used comparative satire to critique contemporary social practices, likely implying American society either lagged behind or diverged unfavorably from European standards—a common 19th-century satirical trope.