The Wasp — 1891 — page 298: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is primarily **advertising and social commentary** rather than political cartoons. The left side contains "Social Chatter—Continued," a satirical column mocking San Francisco high society. It ridicules pretentious women at social gatherings, with pointed jabs at their fashion choices, musical performances, and affected manners. The writer sarcastically suggests introducing "great hush" to these tedious social events and critiques women who perform poorly on piano while dressed elaborately. The column also mocks language teachers and their questionable methods of instruction. The right side features typical period **commercial advertisements**: Pacific Bank, Perry's flour mills, John Wieland's lager beer, and Champagne Eclipse. The page reflects 1868 San Francisco's commercial prosperity and social pretensions that *The Wasp* regularly satirized.