The Wasp — 1895 — page 139: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

The page features **"Old Maid's Diary,"** a satirical column mocking San Francisco society women, particularly those organizing social events. The accompanying illustration shows a woman at a desk, suggesting domestic or social correspondence. The text critiques **Mrs. Flirty** (likely a pseudonym), who recently hosted a bicycle tournament affecting the Burlington Polo Club. The column ridicules her pretensions and those of similar society hostesses who treat entertainments competitively. The satire targets **class anxiety and one-upmanship** among San Francisco's elite—specifically women's social climbing through elaborate parties and events. References to tea receptions, luncheons, and theatrical parties reflect late-19th-century upper-class entertainment culture. The byline credits **Tabitha Twiggs**, the satirist, mocking both the subjects and the social rituals they obsess over.