A beggars' lodging-house, a barn-like structure, with a ladder leading to a loft, a heap of straw against the back wall, a makeshift table, two chairs, and a stool. On the wall is a peg-leg. One stalwart beggar walks with crutch and crutched stick, another sits on the stool adjusting a peg-leg to his knee, his leg doubled back; he shouts: 'vy jim you've forgot to tie up your leg'. A ragged boy with a basket of matches registers amusement. A seemingly old man (left) makes up his face at a cracked mirror. On the right a fat woman and a respectably dressed man sit at the table; the woman pours out tea, while the man holds a tankard and smokes a pipe. She says: 'vel i cant think how a man wat does the gemman so vel can like sich a wulgar breakfast'. He answers: 'ah you dont know what hard work the respectable lag is, it requires noureshment mrs maggs'. A girl crossing-sweeper with a broom stands by the ladder shouting up at the loft: 'mother!! lend us one of your babies, vill you mother?' a woman's arm projects from the loft holding an infant suspended by its single garment: 'here take it, and dont squall so, bring me tea vith brandy in it i feel very narvical'. Rats snuff at bones on the floor, and two cats watch a rat-hole. The beggars are well characterized. Feb 7 1832
lithograph. Date: 1832. Dimensions: Height: 208 mm (image); Width: 348 mm. Medium: paper. Collection: British Museum. Beggars beginning the day (BM 1868,0808.9426)
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