The Wasp — 1879 — page 344: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts a parade of grotesque figures emerging from giant top hats—a visual metaphor for political or social corruption. The caption suggests this references an actual Saturday evening event in San Francisco (May 31st, 1879). The exaggerated, caricatured figures marching beneath the hats appear to represent corrupt politicians or dubious characters parading publicly. One figure rides a donkey labeled what appears to be a political affiliation. The "blur-hat" itself likely symbolizes obscurity, deception, or hidden identities—suggesting these individuals represent shadowy political forces operating behind respectable facades. Without identifying specific individuals, the cartoon clearly mocks a particular parade or political procession as a manifestation of corruption and hypocrisy in San Francisco politics of that era.