The Wasp — 1878 — page 98: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

The visible cartoon shows two figures labeled "GOSSIP" in conversation. Based on the surrounding text fragments, this appears to be satirizing contemporary social gossip and rumors circulating in San Francisco society during the publication period. The page primarily contains brief satirical news items and social commentary rather than a single coherent cartoon. References include criticism of political figures (Senator Sharon is mentioned), commentary on local institutions (the Police Commission, Oakland City Council), and mocking of various social pretensions and scandals among the wealthy and prominent. The specific identities of the gossiping figures in the cartoon are unclear from the image alone, but the overall intent is typical of *The Wasp*'s approach: ridiculing local elites, questionable behavior, and social hypocrisy through humorous commentary and caricature.