The Wasp — 1888 — page 254: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains primarily text articles and one prominent sketch rather than political cartoons. The central illustration depicts "Old Swan," a banker, shown drinking and holding a bottle. The accompanying poem celebrates Swan as a "gourmet to boot" with a "harsh voice to suit." The sketch illustrates a humorous biographical piece about Swan's drinking habits and his preference for "straight water" when toasting. The satire appears to be personal rather than political—mocking a specific banker's well-known reputation for heavy drinking. The page also includes unrelated literary pieces: "Buffalo Bill to Uncle Sam" (a poem about frontier life) and "A Mis-Mated All Round" (social commentary on an elaborate Parisian dinner). These reflect The Wasp's mix of local satire, humor, and cultural commentary typical of late 19th-century American magazines.