The Wasp — 1889 — page 48: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains multiple brief satirical sketches and comic scenarios rather than a single unified cartoon: **"Puffing on Both Sides"** depicts social hypocrisy around cigar smoking—women criticizing men for smoking while secretly indulging themselves. **"When the Parson Drew the Line"** shows a conversation between an Eastern man and a Western parson about regional customs, apparently satirizing differing moral standards between regions. **Other sketches** ("Hard Hit," "Hospitality," "A Cold Friend," "Trouble in the Green Room," "Easily Arranged") appear to be brief comedic vignettes about everyday social situations—romantic entanglements, business dealings, and social awkwardness. The humor relies on observational comedy about Victorian-era manners and hypocrisy rather than political commentary. Without clearer context identifying specific public figures, the precise satirical targets remain unclear beyond general social critique.