The Wasp — 1878 — page 388: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page features a poem by J.W. Morgan titled "Hugging the Fence," accompanied by a cartoon showing two figures—one appears to be a politician straddling or hugging a fence, illustrating the metaphor of political equivocation. The poem criticizes those who avoid taking clear political stances, preferring instead to remain neutral or uncommitted ("Hugging the Fence"). The accompanying illustration emphasizes this theme through its visual metaphor. The right-hand column contains miscellaneous satirical commentary on various topics including politics, urban life, and social issues—typical of *The Wasp*'s editorial approach. The cartoon's message targets political cowardice and non-commitment, common subjects for American satirical magazines of this era.