The Wasp — 1878 — page 279: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This sketch from *The Wasp* depicts a street scene where a group of women and children are being questioned about a fire's origin. The subtitle indicates this is "A Sketch on Eighth St." — likely referencing a specific San Francisco incident. The satire appears to target how urban poor or working-class communities were treated during fire investigations. The authority figure (center-left) interrogates the gathered women while children and a dog stand nearby, suggesting the scene captures desperate residents being questioned about their circumstances. The sketch likely critiques either the city's investigative methods, class prejudices in assigning blame for fires, or the general treatment of impoverished neighborhoods—common satirical targets in *The Wasp's* social commentary.