The Wasp — 1888 — page 134: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains three distinct satirical pieces: 1. **"French Gold—German Silver"**: A dialogue joke mocking a student and professor, where the student claims a man "looks very much like you" has never attended lectures—implying the professor is forgettable or absent. 2. **"Sheridan"**: A poem praising a historical military figure (likely General Philip Sheridan), celebrating his victories and ranking him among great commanders. 3. **"The Political Titivillow"**: A satirical piece about American tariff policy, using a bird metaphor from Washington's White House. It mocks the tariff debate through repetitive, sing-song language ("Tariff! low Tariff!"), suggesting the political argument is absurd, circular, and devoid of substance—poking fun at protectionism versus free trade rhetoric. The humor relies on wordplay and political mockery typical of 19th-century American satire.