The Wasp — 1891 — page 579: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains two main elements: **"Gratified Curiosity" cartoon** (top): Shows a Custom House Inspector and "Prof. So Long," described as an "eminent naturalist and collector of curios," discussing a Chinese lacquer box. The joke appears to satirize bureaucratic inspection procedures and perhaps the Inspector's naive credulity about the box's origins—playing on period anxieties about Chinese imports and authenticity. **"A Spring Poet" section** (middle): A humorous poem mocking overwrought nature poetry from Vacaville, with exaggerated descriptions of spring wildlife (croaking frogs, jackass joins in chorus). It's satire of bad poetry pretending to profundity. **Hotel del Monte advertisement** (bottom): A resort promotion, not satirical content. The page is primarily satirical humor targeting bureaucratic officials and amateur poets.