The Wasp — 1877 — page 175: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page from *The Wasp* (dated April 7-12, 1877) features a central illustration of a steamship with two figures aboard, surrounded by portrait caricatures on both left and right margins. The text along the left margin reads "A CHINESE PASSENGER OF THE MAINEST," suggesting the cartoon satirizes Chinese immigration and passenger ships. The caricatured faces appear to represent various public figures or stereotypical characters related to this debate. Without clearer identification of specific individuals in the portraits, the precise satirical targets remain unclear. However, given the 1877 date and Chinese passenger ship reference, this likely comments on the contentious Chinese Exclusion Act debates occurring in American politics during this period—reflecting anti-Chinese sentiment prevalent in California at the time. The central ship image appears to be the cartoon's focal point criticizing Chinese immigration policy.