The Wasp — 1878 — page 478: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains satirical commentary rather than a central cartoon. The small illustration shows a figure on clouds, likely representing a deity or allegorical figure. The text mocks various targets: corrupt politicians and wealth ("millionaires"), pretentious "broad-minded, liberal" men who expect others to fund their lifestyle, and societal hypocrisy around death and poverty. References include: San Francisco society scandals, a congressman's nomination, the Michigan University marriage requirement, and mosquito-netting factory conditions in Peterson, New Jersey. A section titled "A Boy With a Big Heart" describes a wealthy widow callously watching poor children—satirizing the disconnect between the rich and working poor in 1878. The page appears dated July 22, 1878 (San Francisco), reflecting Gilded Age social criticism focused on class inequality and institutional corruption.