The Wasp — 1894 — page 542: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains satirical commentary and advertisements rather than a single unified cartoon. The main illustrated pieces include: **"What Fools These Mortals Be"**: A sketch mocking a street performer called "the Boy Wonder" who apparently tricks people by claiming magical hand-laying abilities—likely satirizing fraudulent spiritualism or stage magic acts popular in that era. **"Tit for Tat"**: A brief dialogue cartoon about someone wearing a plug-hat (top hat) on the streets, poking fun at formal fashion choices. The page also includes obituary notice for A.C. Hiester Jr., poetry, and multiple advertisements for bicycles and consumer goods. The overall tone targets everyday pretension and social absurdities of the period rather than specific political figures. The satire assumes reader familiarity with San Francisco street culture and contemporary fads.