The Wasp — 1877 — page 17: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains primarily **literary content and advertisements** rather than political cartoons. The main illustration shows a figure labeled "Bosom to follow suit—Your tailor's bill," depicting a wasp carrying what appears to be a bill or debt notice—a visual pun on the magazine's name. The page includes poems ("The Evening Time," "Only a Boy") and prose sections discussing social issues like jury duty and legal representation. One article critiques the abundance of lawyers in America, suggesting they exploit the legal system. The satirical commentary targets **professional classes exploiting ordinary citizens**—particularly lawyers creating unnecessary cases and excessive fees. This reflects late 19th-century American concerns about legal monopolies and the accessibility of justice for common people.