The Wasp — 1888 — page 175: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is primarily a **text-based editorial/satirical commentary page** rather than a cartoon page. The main article discusses **Harrison Millard**, a Napa composer, and critiques his musical pretensions—particularly his claim to have invented the circus and created an operetta. The satire mocks Millard's **inflated self-importance**: the piece describes how he imagined he'd "formed the circus" and created spectacles, when he actually just provided accompaniment at social events. The text ridicules his vain attempts at artistic legitimacy. Secondary pieces satirize **Bishop and Sister**—apparently figures involved in spiritualism and musical circles—for their pretentious claims about communicating with spirits and their grammatically poor compositions. The overall tone targets **San Francisco's artistic pretenders**—individuals claiming grand creative achievements while possessing limited actual talent or originality.