The Wasp — 1890 — page 268: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains several satirical vignettes and illustrations typical of late 19th-century American humor magazines. The top cartoon depicts a domestic scene where a mistress instructs her servant "John" on what to tell callers—a commentary on class pretense and social deception among the wealthy. The "Photosophia" section mocks a mining scheme involving a "State Line mine" sold at auction for inflated shares, satirizing stock market fraud and speculation bubbles common in the era. Lower cartoons include social commentary on "Bellamy lancers" (fashion-conscious San Francisco residents), tennis culture, and a humorous exchange between an old gentleman and young man about seating. The text discusses various California news items: Apache conflicts, Fred M. Stocking's mining camp stories, and local social observations—representing the magazine's mix of satirical commentary on regional events, class behavior, and contemporary scandals.