The Wasp — 1890 — page 16: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

The main cartoon titled "A Long-Felt Want" depicts two figures in Victorian dress—a woman and a man in a top hat. Based on the accompanying article, this appears to satirize Mr. Stephenson Gay's literary aspirations. The text mocks his pretensions to high literary merit while acknowledging his actual mediocrity. The satire suggests that despite his ambitions, Gay would be better suited to practical work than writing. The illustration likely caricatures Gay and critiques the pretentiousness of aspiring writers in San Francisco who lack genuine talent. The surrounding text uses humor to deflate his ego, suggesting his journalistic work is overwrought and would benefit from editorial restraint—a common satirical target in literary magazines of this era.