The Wasp — 1892 — page 310: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains primarily text—a satirical essay about San Francisco society—rather than political cartoons. The narrative mocks the city's wealthy class, particularly the "Flushers" who display excessive wealth through ostentatious fashion and Park outings despite limited actual income. The main illustration depicts a woman in Victorian dress, likely satirizing the pretentious society ladies described in the text. The accompanying sketch of what appears to be a market or street scene reinforces themes of class contrast. The secondary article "Keeps the Cholera Away" advertises Peruvian Bitters as health remedy—typical 19th-century patent medicine marketing. A portrait of a woman in period dress accompanies this ad. The satire targets San Francisco's nouveau-riche attempting to mimic East Coast aristocracy through conspicuous consumption and gossip.