The Wasp — 1879 — page 442: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is the cover of *The Wasp* magazine from February 14, 1880. The illustration's caption reads "ILLUSTRIOUS RETURN—LUMINOUSLY RECEIVED." The cartoon depicts a uniformed military or police officer at a doorway encountering what appears to be a skeletal or ghostly figure holding a lamp. The "luminous" reception mentioned in the caption suggests the figure is being greeted with light—likely a satirical reference to someone's return to San Francisco. Without additional context identifying the specific historical figures or event referenced, I cannot definitively state who these characters represent. The military uniform and the emphasis on an "illustrious return" suggest this may reference a notable political or military figure's homecoming to San Francisco in early 1880, but the specific identity and satirical point remain unclear from the image alone.