The Wasp — 1879 — page 216: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page combines satirical commentary with book reviews rather than featuring political cartoons. The left illustration shows a wasp among insects, serving as the magazine's mascot header. The satirical text attacks various social targets of 1880s America: defective city infrastructure (Treasury concerns), inheritance of instincts, poor grammar among the wealthy, and specific individuals like Miss Mabel Santley (criticized for her fashion choices in San Francisco). A notable section mocks a lawyer's cross-examination in a damages case, exposing how witnesses—here, a man named Wilson—contradict themselves about his wife's health, illness duration, and medical costs. This satire critiques both legal practices and witness credibility. The page concludes with book reviews, including praise for works on cookery and a romance novel called "Jack Homeygrew, the Runaway."