The Wasp — 1889 — page 314: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains several satirical pieces and a central illustration showing what appears to be a church or religious setting with figures in period dress. **"Church Matters"** mocks a character named Smith about attending the Methodist Church, suggesting class-consciousness about religious affiliations. **"In the Sanctum"** discusses Judge West of Needles and Chimehueva tribe members, with a sarcastic note about "G-string" guitar tuning. **"St. Peter Knows the Country"** is the primary satirical piece, featuring dialogue between St. Peter and a "Southern California boomer" character. The satire targets exaggerated frontier boasting and promotional claims about California's climate and resources—common 19th-century migration rhetoric. The newcomer makes increasingly absurd claims, which St. Peter challenges with gentle ecclesiastical skepticism. The humor relies on deflating California promotional myths of that era.