The Wasp — 1879 — page 299: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical engraving depicts Lady Liberty (the allegorical female figure) being pursued by a wealthy capitalist riding a horse labeled "PUBLIC" while holding a bag marked "SPECULATIONS." The caption reads "O! FORTUNA! THY GOLD" (visible at bottom). The cartoon critiques financial speculation and the exploitation of public resources by the wealthy elite. The man in the top hat represents capitalist greed—he's literally riding the public interest while chasing Lady Liberty, who symbolizes American democratic ideals and freedom. The bag of speculations suggests he's using risky financial schemes to accumulate wealth. This reflects late 19th-century *Wasp* magazine's criticism of monopolies, financial manipulation, and how wealthy speculators treated public welfare as a commodity to exploit for personal profit.