The Wasp — 1895 — page 860: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains "The Old Maid's Diary," a gossip column featuring anecdotes about San Francisco society figures. The illustrations are character sketches accompanying social commentary. The main content discusses Miss Bluestocking's return from Podunk and various society happenings, including discussions about hair, poetry, and romantic entanglements. One extended anecdote involves Joaquin Miller (a real California poet) and his barbering habits. The cartoons appear to be satirical character portraits of unnamed society figures—likely recognizable to contemporary readers—depicted in exaggerated styles typical of period satirical magazines. The humor relies on insider knowledge of local personalities and their foibles. The page also includes an advertisement for Hotel Pleasanton, indicating this was a revenue-generating publication mixing editorial content with paid advertising.