The Wasp — December 20, 1879 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This page is primarily text—a serialized story titled "Phases of History Not Generally Given in Detail," written by Salmi Morse for *The Wasp*. It's Part X, subtitled "Gleamings from Ginder, Ginger, and Chab." The narrative appears to be a satirical account involving characters named Mr. Martin, Mr. Cribbs, and Mrs. Josiah Martin, depicting scheming and moral compromises around business dealings and marital infidelity. The dialogue mocks pretension and exposes hypocrisy—typical *Wasp* targets. Without visible illustrations on this particular page, the satire relies entirely on the written narrative rather than visual caricature. The story seems designed to entertain readers through sharp dialogue and cynical social observation rather than political commentary.