The Wasp — 1878 — page 113: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

The cartoon depicts a winged figure (labeled "The Very Freshest American Humor") riding on what appears to be a large wheel or circular object marked "WASP." The illustration satirizes American humor itself, suggesting The Wasp magazine's comedic output at the time. The page primarily consists of satirical commentary on contemporary issues: labor strikes, newspaper reporting, railroad operations, and horse-meat consumption. The text references specific debates—whether strikers should stop trains, questions about journalistic integrity, and discussion of eating horse flesh. These appear to be responses to actual news events and public controversies of the publication's era. The cartoon serves as a visual header for the magazine's satirical editorial content addressing these social and political matters.