The Wasp — 1878 — page 33: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

**The Cartoon:** The single illustration shows a wasp labeled "The Very Freshest American Humor," depicted as an insect carrying or associated with what appears to be a money bag or political emblem. **The Content:** This is primarily a page of satirical jokes and brief commentaries rather than political cartoons. The humor targets contemporary figures and institutions: Democratic conventions, Henry Watterson (a journalist), General Grant, Judge Hilton, President Tilden's electoral vote disputes, and various political scandals. **The Satire:** The pieces mock political corruption, absurd government policies, and public figures' hypocrisies through short, punchy quips. References to the Potter investigation, Civil Service reform debates, and electoral politics suggest this dates to the 1870s-80s era. The "wasp" metaphor itself indicates sharp, stinging social criticism—the magazine's trademark approach.