The Wasp — 1895 — page 31: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page from *The Wasp* contains satirical dialogues and illustrations mocking Victorian social conventions and personalities. The sketches ridicule various figures—including "Bohemian Lathrop" (a philosopher), Mr. Inglesby, and others—for hypocritical behavior and pretension. Key satirical targets include: - A woman complaining her husband won't tell her secrets - Absurd explanations for eccentric behavior (watchdogs, roosters, architecture) - An architect obsessed with Methodist folk aesthetics - Social inconsistencies (washerwomen and water usage) The humor relies on exposing contradictions between what people claim and how they actually behave. The accompanying illustrations show Victorian-era figures in exaggerated poses emphasizing their foolishness. The overall tone mocks San Francisco society's vanity and pretense.