The Wasp — 1881 — page 92: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon illustrates a satirical piece titled "An Empty Show," depicting what appears to be a theatrical or political performance. The image shows figures in period dress engaged in dramatic gestures—one character appears to be gesticulating wildly while others look on. The accompanying dialogue contains period-appropriate speech patterns ("'Mornin', Mr. Scanlau, fine weather we're havin' etirely, glory be to God!'" and references to whisky), suggesting this mocks Sacramento political or social theater. Without clearer identification of the specific figures or event being referenced, the exact satirical target remains unclear, though the "empty show" title indicates the piece ridicules some form of performative pretense—likely political posturing or theatrical bombast common to 1880s California society.