The Wasp — 1877 — page 196: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains two satirical illustrations labeled "PREPARING CHIPS TO MAKE THE POT BOIL" and "TERRESTRIAL NOTES FROM A TELEPHONE." The first cartoon depicts a politician (identity unclear from image alone) in a pot of boiling water, representing political trouble or scandal. The accompanying text discusses San Francisco ward politics, corrupt politicians, and their schemes—suggesting the cartoon mocks politicians being caught in their own schemes. The second cartoon, "Over the Seat of War," appears to reference military or political conflict, likely relating to contemporary tensions mentioned in the text (Russia, Turkey, France, Germany). The satirical piece critiques political and military maneuvering of the era. The page primarily satirizes corrupt city politics and international conflict through caricature and wordplay typical of 1870s American satirical journalism.