The Wasp — 1888 — page 200: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon depicts a woman representing "Commerce" being assaulted by a serpent, while a figure (appearing to hold an eagle, likely representing American authority or government) looks on helplessly from above. The title suggests commerce is being violated or destroyed. The serpent likely represents a specific threat to American trade—possibly monopolistic practices, corrupt business practices, or foreign economic competition that was popular satire subject matter in 19th-century American magazines. The composition emphasizes Commerce's vulnerability and distress, while the distant eagle figure suggests governmental failure to protect American economic interests. The exact historical context—whether this references tariff debates, railroad monopolies, or other commercial conflicts—remains unclear without additional publication date information.