The Wasp — 1878 — page 366: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

The page contains a small illustration of what appears to be a wasp or insect with accompanying satirical text, plus "The Story of Riding Hood" poem and various society gossip items. The main cartoon mockingly depicts a wasp carrying news to "Eliza," with a caption referencing "Henry is coming." The surrounding text satirizes contemporary political and social figures—mentioning piano makers, the Mulligan Guard, a police court case involving "Mrs. Lamb" and "innocent lambs," and commentary on the 1876 election lie about "Sitting Bull." Without clearer identification of specific individuals referenced, the exact targets remain unclear, but the magazine's characteristic approach mocks public figures, recent scandals, and social pretensions of the era through wordplay and innuendo.