The Wasp — 1888 — page 195: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a **text-heavy editorial page** rather than a cartoon page. The main article discusses a recent earthquake in Conservaville and critiques how it's being exploited for religious purposes—specifically mocking a church dignitary who used the disaster to push Sabbath-breaking. Below is a **satirical poem** about an Oaklander who nearly drowned, narrating his religious panic and subsequent hypocrisy. The poem ridicules him for only remembering prayer during crisis, then returning to irreligious behavior. The page also contains **brief social commentary** criticizing San Francisco's wealthy sportsmen (particularly boxers and wrestlers) for pursuing frivolous entertainments rather than meaningful civic engagement. The satire targets **religious hypocrisy** and the **idle wealthy** throughout.