The Wasp — 1893 — page 188: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains two distinct pieces: **"Summer's Departure"** (top illustration): A satirical drawing showing a giant female figure labeled as a "nymph" departing for summer, with two small men below holding butterfly nets. The accompanying poem laments the exodus of women from the city to coastal destinations like Santa Cruz and Monterey during summer months. The satire targets the social custom where wealthy San Francisco residents—particularly women—would abandon the city seasonally. **"All About a Telegram"** (bottom): A domestic comedy dialogue between "Mrs. Bingo" and her husband about a telegram's arrival. The humor derives from miscommunication: she assumes it's romantic news, but it concerns only business matters. This satirizes both marital misunderstandings and the era's reliance on telegrams for urgent communication. Both pieces reflect turn-of-the-century Bay Area social life and gender dynamics.