The Wasp — June 5, 1880 — page 12: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of The Illustrated Wasp Page 731 This page contains satirical commentary rather than traditional political cartoons. The main text discusses several figures: **Judge Green** of Oakland, criticized for cruelty to his mother and lack of judicial integrity; **Barnum** (likely P.T. Barnum), mocked for his circus exploits; and various San Francisco officials accused of corruption and moral failings. The illustrations show a woman writing (captioned "My Dear Grandma") and an elaborate advertisement for "Neptune Mermaid Swimming Baths," a leisure establishment. The satire targets California's legal and civic corruption—judges, prominent businessmen, and city authorities are ridiculed for hypocrisy, financial misconduct, and abuse of power. The tone is scathing personal attack masquerading as public-interest journalism.