The Wasp — 1890 — page 157: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical magazine page contains multiple brief social commentary pieces rather than a single unified cartoon. The central illustration depicts two figures in conversation, though the specific identities aren't entirely clear from the image alone. The surrounding text discusses various scandals and social issues of the era, including references to newspaper coverage of a woman named Nellie Bly, a critique of Edison's claims about invention, and commentary on Chicago religious figures making money through dubious means. The page also includes anecdotes about San Francisco society figures and legal professionals behaving unethically. The overall tone is critical of hypocrisy among the wealthy and powerful. However, without clearer captions identifying the specific individuals caricatured, precise satirical targets remain somewhat obscured to modern readers.