The Wasp — 1878 — page 185: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is primarily a masthead and publication information page rather than a satirical cartoon page. The main visual element is the *Wasp* magazine's ornate logo—a large wasp surrounded by classical female figures—which appears at the top left. The bulk of the page contains subscription rates, publication details, and an editorial titled "Our Greatness in Crookedness" criticizing corrupt government institutions. The piece argues that corruption has become endemic across American government bodies—from small town boards to federal offices—and claims this dishonesty has destroyed public confidence. It calls for reform and a return to honest governance. The editorial suggests that widespread political corruption, rather than isolated incidents, represents a fundamental crisis in American institutions.