The Wasp — 1891 — page 336: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is primarily **advertising**, featuring San Francisco businesses (ink stands, tailors, furniture storage, beer distributors, and piano makers). The cartoon at top left depicts a skeletal figure labeled "HE DIDN'T SEE THE TRAP," illustrating a cautionary tale. The accompanying text references George Washington Smith, who allegedly fell into a house's open cellar—a darkly comedic warning about urban hazards. The "Topics of the Town" section discusses women in journalism, praising their work while noting press associations' limited opportunities for female members. This reflects **early feminist commentary** on professional exclusion. A brief anecdote mocks an orphan's crude logic about mortality. Overall, this page blends satirical social commentary with period advertisements typical of 1880s-90s American magazines.