The Wasp — 1891 — page 143: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is primarily **advertising and society notices** rather than political satire. The left side features a decorative illustration of a woman's profile with ornamental flourishes, accompanying a brief fictional dialogue about temptation and virtue (the "snake" reference appears metaphorical rather than literal). The bulk of the page consists of **commercial advertisements** for San Francisco businesses: Pacific Bank, John Wieland's Lager Beer, champagne, furniture, and other services. Below the ads are **society gossip items**—engagement announcements, wedding reports, and social event notices typical of the era's newspaper society sections. The page reflects *The Wasp*'s dual function as both satirical magazine and advertising/social chronicle for San Francisco's elite readership.