The Wasp — 1878 — page 327: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon from *The Wasp* depicts an anthropomorphic donkey seated at a table, dressed in formal attire with military decorations and medals. The donkey appears disappointed while reading a newspaper. The visible text on medals and badges includes "COWARD" and "HEMP," suggesting the cartoon satirizes a political figure or public person characterized as cowardly. The "Courtesy Committee" label visible at bottom-left appears to reference some political organization or group. The title's pun on "ass" (the animal and the insult) suggests this mocks someone's failed expectations or exposed hypocrisy. Without clearer historical markers or dates visible, the specific political figure and incident remain unclear, though the satirical intent—ridiculing someone's pretensions and revealed character flaws—is evident.