The Wasp — 1890 — page 124: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page mixes society gossip with satirical commentary and advertisements. The "Town Topics" section reports on San Francisco's social elite—Mrs. Frank Leslie's return, upcoming Admission Day celebrations, and Native Sons gatherings. The main cartoon "At a Society Ball" depicts a social interaction between "Monsieur," "Jefferson," and "Cousin Jack" and "Cousin Nell." The humor appears to mock upper-class pretension: when asked why ladies lack care for their shoulders, Jefferson responds there's "nothing else to speak of"—suggesting women are intellectually empty. Cousin Jack's parallel comment about gift-giving reinforces this critique of superficial society attitudes. The "Delightful Complexion Effects" advertisement promotes Mrs. Graham's cosmetics, promising natural-looking results without artificial appearance.