The Wasp — 1878 — page 40: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts what appears to be a temperance or "cold water" movement gathering. The figures are shown celebrating or demonstrating enthusiastically around a central bucket or vessel of water—likely mocking temperance advocates who promoted cold water as an alternative to alcohol. The exaggerated, energetic poses and theatrical expressions suggest the cartoonist is ridiculing the movement as overwrought or absurd. The title "The Cold Water Brigade" indicates this refers to organized temperance groups that were active during this era. The satire appears to target the earnestness of temperance activism, portraying participants as comically fanatical rather than rational reformers. The Wasp, known for its anti-Chinese and conservative politics, likely used such cartoons to mock progressive reform movements of 1870s San Francisco.