The Wasp — 1891 — page 158: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page features a biographical profile of **Hon. Timothy Guy Phelps**, a prominent California politician and businessman. The accompanying portrait shows a distinguished older gentleman in formal attire. The text celebrates Phelps' career: his early life in New York, participation in California's Gold Rush era, election to Congress (noted as significant during a "critical period" in 1861), and service as Collector of the Port of San Francisco. The satire appears gentle—*The Wasp* humorously notes Phelps' humble present circumstances (a 3,000-acre farm) despite his former prominence, and includes a comedic anecdote about him mistaking limestone for phosphate, mocking his naïveté about minerals. The "Spoken in Jest" section offers lighthearted banter, suggesting affectionate rather than scathing satire typical of this magazine.