The Wasp — 1894 — page 404: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

The cartoon depicts a musical confrontation between two figures labeled "WASP" and "MURPHY." The satire appears to reference a real dispute involving Professor Ziliani and The Wasp's music critic. According to the text, Ziliani attacked the critic at a theater rehearsal after a negative review of "Martha." The critic was ejected, but Ziliani pursued him outside, resulting in a chaotic brawl where the critic fought back "bravely against the overpowering" Ziliani. The cartoon likely caricatures this violent encounter, mocking both the temperamental opera professor and the conflict's absurdity. The "MURPHY" label may reference a family involved in unrelated legal disputes mentioned in the Personalities section.