The Wasp — 1890 — page 389: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon from *The Wasp* depicts a coroner's inquest (title: "Coroner's Verdict—Unw[illing]"). The scene shows a Viking-like figure (lower left) examining debris scattered across a desk or table, while in the background, a well-dressed man carrying luggage approaches the U.S. Capitol building. The Viking caricature likely represents corruption or criminal investigation, while the fleeing figure suggests a politician or official escaping Washington with stolen goods or ill-gotten gains. The scattered items on the table appear to be evidence or documents. The cartoon satirizes political corruption and the difficulty of holding government officials accountable—the "coroner's verdict" suggests that despite investigation, justice remains elusive or reluctant.