The Wasp — September 13, 1879 — page 4: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of "The Illustrated Wasp" Page 115 This page attacks Lord Macaulay for plagiarism. The main article, "Bare-Faced Plagiarism," accuses the famous British historian and essayist of stealing material without attribution, specifically referencing his *Edinburgh Review* essay from 1844 on Bacon. The skull illustration emphasizes moral death/shame. The piece compares Macaulay's conduct to theft, arguing his "brilliant sentences" were appropriated from earlier sources and falsely credited to himself—a serious charge against a celebrated intellectual figure. The satire targets how Macaulay leveraged borrowed material to build his reputation while deceiving the public. Supporting short pieces mock other local figures (Badlam, Flint, Garibaldi references suggest San Francisco context), but the Macaulay exposé dominates, presenting itself as righteous literary criticism defending intellectual honesty.