The Wasp — 1890 — page 236: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is primarily a **Society gossip column** with illustrations, not political satire. The "Society" section reports on San Francisco's upper-class activities: upcoming weddings, travel plans, and social gatherings among named individuals and families. The main cartoon, captioned "HE HAD BEEN THERE," depicts a humorous domestic scene where a mother questions her son about his whereabouts, and he responds with a mythological reference to Phoenix rising from ashes—likely a cheeky excuse for misbehavior. Below this, the "HOBBIES" section uses playful character sketches representing different pastimes: Books, Money, Music, and Cards. These are lighthearted visual jokes about leisure pursuits. The bottom text discusses society events and includes unrelated commentary on New York auctions and Sheriff Grant, appearing to be miscellaneous local news items typical of society magazines.