The Wasp — 1894 — page 165: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains four separate satirical sketches with social commentary: 1. **"Was Dead on to the Deacon"**: Two men discuss church collection plates, mocking the church's persistent fundraising over decades. 2. **"Pointer for Society Girls"**: A woman (Clara) accumulates letters from ministers and tradesmen during Lent, satirizing wealthy women's selective charitable participation timed to the religious calendar. 3. **"Our Liveliest Exhibit"**: A sick man in bed; the caption jokes about California fleas being worse than diseases—likely commenting on California's pest problems or immigration issues. 4. **"Came Fully Prepared"**: An uncle brings boys with a telescope to view "gals," suggesting voyeurism. The final anecdote mocks marital infidelity, with a husband's affair discovered and coverup attempted. The humor targets hypocrisy in religion, wealth, social pretension, and domestic scandal among California society.