The Wasp — 1894 — page 120: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page features a satirical column titled "The Old Maid's Diary" with an accompanying illustration of an elderly woman writing. The cartoon critiques upper-class female drinking habits during the Prohibition/early 20th century era. The satirical "diary" entry mocks wealthy women who secretly consume alcohol despite social prohibitions against it. It references specific incidents—including an anecdote about a woman smuggling whiskey onto a train and another about Berkeley women drinking in private homes to avoid public scandal. The satire targets hypocrisy: respectable society condemns female drinking publicly while wealthy women drink privately and regularly. The column suggests this secret drinking is common among privileged circles, undermining their moral authority. The tone is sardonic, presenting these behaviors as both humorous and socially problematic.