The Wasp — 1895 — page 519: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is primarily a **San Francisco business directory and advertising section** from December 31, 1894. While it contains numerous ads for local banks, insurance companies, and services, there is **one illustrated cartoon** embedded among the advertisements. The cartoon depicts a woman in Victorian dress on what appears to be a boat or yacht, with a dialogue caption reading: "OLD SOAK (in water)—I'm going to have a yacht built, and am going to call it 'Mermaid.' Appropriate name, don't you think? Miss BEACH—Oh, I don't know. 'Barmaid' would be a more fitting name, don't you think?" The joke appears to be a **class-based insult**: the woman (Miss Beach) suggests "Barmaid" is more appropriate than "Mermaid," implying the man is a drunkard of low social standing rather than someone of sufficient refinement to own a yacht. "Old Soak" references his drinking habits.