The Wasp — 1887 — page 132: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical engraving depicts a chaotic scene at what appears to be a public park or recreational area. A sign reading "Tramp's Paradise" suggests the cartoon critiques how parks have become refuges for vagrants and homeless individuals. The scene shows various figures lounging, drinking, and socializing in disorder—including people on the ground, a man with a cow, families scattered about, and what appear to be intoxicated individuals. A church building stands prominently in the background, possibly implying social hypocrisy or the failure of religious institutions to address poverty. The satire appears to target urban social problems of the era: homelessness, vagrancy, public intoxication, and the degradation of public spaces. The title suggests the park has become defined by its use as a gathering place for society's poorest members.