The Wasp — 1890 — page 159: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page satirizes San Francisco's financial markets through anthropomorphized animals and figures. The cartoon header shows pigs representing market conditions ("Pork moderately active") and well-dressed men and women representing money and banking sectors. The accompanying text discusses California's savings banks, the Nevada Bank's management, and fire insurance companies—likely critiquing financial institutions' practices and their leaders' competence. References to deposit-taking, interest rates, and banking management suggest The Wasp is mocking how these institutions operate and attract public money. The final section praises the San Francisco Wasp's own improvement under new management, serving as self-promotion. Overall, this combines satirical financial commentary with industry-specific gossip aimed at San Francisco's business class.