The Wasp — 1879 — page 160: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page presents Act I of a three-act play adapted from French sources by Salmi Morse for *The Wasp* magazine. The title "Le Juif Polonais" (The Polish Jew) references a French melodrama. The two illustrations show domestic scenes with period costuming. The dialogue depicts characters discussing weddings, wine, and social gatherings among what appears to be a merchant-class household, with servants and social inferiors present. Without additional context about *The Wasp's* satirical stance, the specific social commentary remains unclear. The play's inclusion may represent either ethnic stereotyping common to 19th-century American magazines, or possibly satire of such stereotypes—the historical record of *The Wasp's* editorial position would clarify intent.