The Wasp — 1879 — page 637: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains publication information and two distinct sections: "Five Cent Squabble" (a editorial complaint about bogus cable car tickets) and "Mike in Paris" (a travel letter). The main cartoon at the top left shows **"The Illustrated Wasp"** masthead with a wasp attacking or stinging something—typical of the magazine's satirical branding. The "Five Cent Squabble" critiques San Francisco's streetcar system for allowing fraudulent tickets, blaming both passengers and companies for the problem. It's social satire targeting urban transit corruption. "Mike in Paris" is a humorous travel account describing the author's experiences in Paris, including observations about Chinese immigrants, French society, and diplomatic functions—using comedic cultural commentary typical of 19th-century travel journalism. No major political figures are caricatured on this particular page.