The Wasp — 1878 — page 372: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

The left side features an illustration of two figures in Victorian dress appearing to exchange or dispute over a purse or money bag—likely satirizing a financial transaction or business dispute of the era. The right side contains poetry attributed to "W. H. (EE) L. BARNES," with verses referencing various social situations: a youth with a carriage, fear and courage, a woman's chase, a "cop" and cityscape, and legal proceedings. The poems appear to be satirical commentary on contemporary social behaviors and moral failings. The bulk of the page consists of brief news items and social commentary—typical Wasp content mocking local events, scandals, and personalities of 1880s San Francisco. Without identifying specific individuals mentioned, these appear to be references to minor local figures and incidents meant to amuse readers familiar with the community.