The Wasp — 1880 — page 50: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

**Main Cartoon: "Our Amateur Army"** The large illustration depicts a disorganized military gathering labeled "An Independent Company on their way to Target Practice." The chaotic scene shows soldiers in various states of disorder—some carrying umbrellas and flags, others in civilian dress mixed with military uniforms. This satirizes amateur or poorly-trained militia units, likely referencing late 19th-century American volunteer military organizations that lacked professional discipline. **Text Content:** The page includes theatrical comedy excerpts from "Hard Times or Literature and Liquor" and "A Merchant's Counting House," featuring dialogue between characters discussing drinking and street car incidents. Below is a separate article about catching a streetcar, describing a dangerous urban incident involving a young woman. The satire targets both military amateurism and urban life's hazards.