The Wasp — 1889 — page 82: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page features satirical poetry and illustrations mocking Persian-American diplomatic tensions. The headline "THE SHAH AND HIS KHAN" references an incident where a Persian Minister departed Washington abruptly, allegedly due to poor treatment by the American Muse (representing America itself). The illustrated cartoon "ALWAYS CHEERFUL" depicts two figures—apparently Tom Dashwood and Jack Dashwood—joking about dropping someone "out the window," a dark humor reference to the diplomatic snub. Below, "TOMMY SMITH ON WATER" contains naval humor, while "COULD AFFORD TO BE PATIENT" shows a dealer and artist negotiating over money, typical The Wasp satire about American commercialism and art. The Persian Khan material appears designed to ridicule both foreign diplomacy and American treatment of foreign dignitaries.