The Wasp — 1890 — page 294: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

The central cartoon depicts a social scene with well-dressed figures. The caption "'A WORD'" and dialogue identify the speaker as "Mr. Sottlejoy" addressing "Miss Bullion," requesting "one word" he may "treasure forever." The satire targets wealthy social climbers and artificial courtship rituals among the elite. "Miss Bullion's" name itself mocks materialism—suggesting her value lies solely in money rather than character. Mr. Sottlejoy's obsequious plea for romantic sentiment from such a mercenary figure ridicules both his desperation and the superficiality of high-society romance. The accompanying text discusses Washington society figures, Chinese laborers, and various social observations, establishing The Wasp's typical focus on satirizing contemporary American social pretension and hypocrisy.