The Wasp — 1878 — page 370: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

The page shows two illustrations related to military artillery. The top inset depicts "Minute Salutes of U.S. Artillery" — soldiers operating a cannon with formal military dress. The larger main illustration depicts a massive civilian gathering or encampment, with crowds of people, horses, and carriages assembled in a landscape. This appears to be satirizing a military demonstration, parade, or public artillery display that drew enormous crowds. The satire likely mocks either the spectacle of military pageantry attracting civilians, or the inefficiency/excessive preparation required for a simple "minute salute" — suggesting the U.S. military mobilized disproportionate resources for minimal effect. Without clearer text or dateline, the specific historical military event being lampooned remains unclear.