The Wasp — 1891 — page 493: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains satirical commentary and anecdotes rather than a political cartoon. The main illustration shows three figures on a street, though its specific meaning is unclear without additional context. The text includes humorous observations about San Francisco's social problems: police corruption, a "bifurcated skirt" fashion controversy, theatrical managers, and baseball contagion among the populace. Notable items include anecdotes about Artemas Ward (a frontier humorist figure), an Italian Marquis marrying for money, and various social critiques typical of 1870s San Francisco. The humor targets local issues—urban disorder, fashion, sports obsession—rather than national politics. The illustration's caption references "Waddly Towers" and "Howson Reily," suggesting it depicts a street encounter, but without clearer context, its satirical point remains unclear.