The Wasp — 1878 — page 356: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page features a serialized story titled "Surreptitious Sweetness" illustrated with multiple small engravings of what appears to be a rat or mouse character in various predicaments—searching, jumping, smelling, and exploring. The accompanying text discusses contemporary political and social scandals: nominations for Governor, an escaped convict named Williamson involved in counterfeiting U.S. currency, arrests in San Francisco, and deaths. There's also commentary on social issues like the need for church fundraising and advice to wives about managing husbands' behavior. The animal illustrations appear to function as humorous decorative elements accompanying these serious political discussions—the contrast between the whimsical rodent story and grave governmental corruption creating satirical effect. The page is primarily text-heavy commentary rather than a single unified cartoon.