The Wasp — 1891 — page 366: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is **primarily advertising** with minimal satirical content. The two small sketches at the top left illustrate "Our Modern Society Drama: The Man Who Never Pays" by Lillian Pfluennett—a character study of "Ricardo" depicted in formal dress and casual wear. The accompanying text describes a San Francisco gentleman who frequents restaurants without paying, uses various schemes to avoid debts, and changes clothes to evade creditors. The piece appears to satirize **social parasitism and dishonesty** among the well-dressed urban class. The bulk of the page comprises advertisements for San Francisco businesses: the Palace Hotel, W. & J. Sloane & Co. (furniture), the California Insurance Company, and Backus Printing Company. This mixed format—satire and advertisements—was typical of period satirical magazines.