The Wasp — 1881 — page 399: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains three literary pieces rather than political cartoons: "The Average Russian," "The Sentimental Muse" (featuring the poem "You Kissed Me"), and "Aprille." "The Average Russian" satirizes Russian character through anecdotes about peasants and nobility, portraying Russians as barbarous, uncivilized, and prone to drunkenness. It relies on ethnic stereotyping common to 19th-century American publications. "The Sentimental Muse" presents romantic poetry typical of period magazines. "Aprille" appears to be a brief poem about spring. The page demonstrates *The Wasp's* mix of satirical prose commentary and literary content, with the Russian piece exemplifying the magazine's use of national stereotypes for humor.