The Wasp — 1894 — page 468: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon depicts a satirical dinner scene titled "At the Dahomey Dinner." The illustration shows several figures in Victorian dress engaged in conversation. Based on the dialogue snippets visible, the humor appears to center on social awkwardness and romantic misunderstandings among the dinner guests. The text references include jokes about a character named "Time" being called a "maiden," questions about payment of debts, and exchanges about love and beauty. One figure asks another about writing testimonials. The specific "Dahomey" reference likely alludes to a contemporary exhibition or cultural event (Dahomey being a West African kingdom), though the exact historical context isn't entirely clear from the page alone. The satire targets Victorian social conventions and interpersonal dynamics at formal dining occasions.