The Wasp — 1879 — page 62: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains **two distinct sections**: a theater review and an educational feature about fair machinery. The **theater section** critiques a production of "David" at the Oratorio, discussing performances by cast members including Charles Henry Joseph McDonald and John McCullough. The review praises the production while defending it against critics who deemed biblical drama unsuitable for theatrical venues. The writers argue that legitimate theater deserves respect and artistic dignity. The **second section**, titled "The Wonders of the Fair Explained," features an illustration of "Tircis and Amaranth" and discusses steam-powered pumping mechanisms at what appears to be a contemporary fair or exposition. The text educates readers about double-acting pumps and mechanical engineering. This page blends **arts criticism with popular science education**, reflecting the magazine's mixed content approach.