The Wasp — 1894 — page 240: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a text-heavy page of social gossip and commentary rather than visual satire. The "Round and About" column reports on San Francisco's Democratic and high society circles, including: - **Gavin McNab**, a young Democrat criticized for his caustic wit - **Principal Kennedy**, mocked for introducing "science" into public schools via calipers and phrenology (measuring boys' heads) - **Herman Welch**, a Santa Cruz yacht-club owner and entertainer - **Joe Jordan**, a *Chronicle* reporter whose drinking at a St. Patrick's banquet allegedly caused stomach upset The items ridicule contemporary figures through gossip and anecdote, targeting pretension, pseudo-science, and social excess. The satire relies on insider knowledge of local personalities and scandals rather than visual caricature. This reflects *The Wasp*'s approach as a text-driven satirical weekly focused on San Francisco's elite.