The Wasp — 1895 — page 1018: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is primarily **advertising and directory listings** for San Francisco businesses (hotels, restaurants, saloons, printing companies), with one small cartoon illustration titled "ON VAN NESS AVENUE." The cartoon depicts two men in conversation with a woman, one saying: "It's the opening, my dear; I am going to give up my new pew in church. I can't stand that new preacher any longer, John." The joke appears to satirize **religious hypocrisy**—specifically, a wealthy parishioner prioritizing his church pew (a status symbol for the affluent) over actually hearing the sermon. The complaint about the "new preacher" suggests disapproval of modern clergy, possibly their more socially critical preaching. The satire mocks how some wealthy congregants valued appearance and comfort in church over genuine spiritual commitment. The cartoon's placement among advertisements is typical of *The Wasp*'s format.