The Wasp — 1894 — page 70: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts a social scenario at what appears to be a beach or coastal setting. A well-dressed woman holds an umbrella while three men in suits attend to her, one bowing deferentially. The caption "HE COULD STAND IT" introduces dialogue where a man named Mr. Trotter is being invited to Santa Cruz, with references to "Naples of the Pacific" and the coastal resort's pleasant weather. The satire appears to mock upper-class social pretensions and the courtship rituals of the era—specifically, the excessive male deference shown toward women in polite society. The joke likely centers on Trotter's ability to "stand" (endure or tolerate) the romantic attention and social expectations that accompany a seaside vacation with an eligible woman, contrasted with his mention of having "spent a year in Central Siberia," suggesting he has endured far harsher conditions.