The Wasp — 1893 — page 442: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This illustration satirizes romantic coastal leisure. Two figures sit on a beach among rocks, with one holding an umbrella decorated with lace—a fashionable accessory of the era. They read what appears to be *The Wasp* magazine itself. The caption's reference to "Farallones in the distance" (rocky islands off San Francisco) and "Would-be-Alones in the Foreground" suggests a play on words mocking couples seeking privacy or romantic solitude at the coast. The satire likely targets either: 1. The pretentiousness of fashionable seaside outings among San Francisco's upper classes 2. The irony of couples attempting intimate moments while remaining conspicuously public The humorous juxtaposition of elaborate dress and rocky, unglamorous beach settings undermines romantic coastal aspirations.