The Wasp — 1892 — page 563: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page features a satirical section titled "The Shelter of Hypocrisy" with four cartoon illustrations showing figures in various poses of deception or moral compromise. The accompanying text discusses literary pretension in San Francisco society—specifically mocking people who claim cultural sophistication while lacking genuine intellect or substance. The cartoons appear to illustrate the hypocrisy of "cultured" people who hide behind false dignity. The text criticizes an autocratic "literary circle" in a country town, suggesting that claims of culture often mask ignorance or mediocrity. The overall satire targets San Francisco's social elite who publicly champion culture and refinement while privately lacking real substance or integrity—using cultural pretense as camouflage for shallow or morally questionable behavior.