The Wasp — 1879 — page 200: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains primarily **satirical commentary and literary review** rather than political cartoons. The left margin features an illustration of a wasp on a wheel—likely The Wasp's masthead or decorative element. The main content includes short satirical observations on contemporary American life: commentary on comets, theatrical managers, incompetent workers ("clambers"), and women lawyers. A "Literary Review" section critiques a two-and-a-half-volume romance titled "Under the Apple Tree," faulting its plot and characterization while praising its writing quality. The page concludes with "An Ornament to the Profession"—a satirical dialogue mocking lawyer examinations, where an examiner condescendingly tests a candidate's knowledge through absurdly simple questions about legal fees and courtroom conduct. The satire targets professional pretension and incompetence in 19th-century America.