The Ragged School In West Street, late Chick Lane, Smithfield, by Gorges Cruikshank

Cruikshank represents a ragged school at the saffron hill slum in london, which charles dickens visited on behalf of philanthropist angela burdett coutts in 1843. This visit undoubtedly shaped his conception of ignorance and want — and the importance of elementary education as an antidote to poverty — in a christmas carol). (philip v. Allingham).