The Wasp — 1894 — page 483: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is primarily **advertising and fiction** rather than political satire. The upper half features "The Old Maid's Diary," a domestic humor story about Mrs. Shaddy and a new baby, satirizing common baby-care advice of the era—wrapping infants "from head to toe" and bathing them in cold water. The lower cartoon depicts a domestic scene with two figures discussing an engagement, with the caption "When is the cook to be married?" / "Oh, she's not to be married. She's broken her engagement." This is **servant-class humor**, likely poking fun at social pretensions among household staff. The remainder is **commercial advertising** for San Francisco businesses: breweries, furniture makers, jewelry manufacturers, and other establishments. This reflects *The Wasp's* role as a local publication dependent on business patronage.