“A Hardened Offender.” Judy, or the London Serio-Comic Journal. (24 January 1872): 121. Courtesy of the HathiTrust and the Harvard University Library. Click on image to enlarge it.
Middle-aged Female (inquiringly). And pray, Mr. Cabman, what has the poor Child done, that he's took in Charge like that?
[Cabman] Owner of Badge ’0024] ). Well, Mum, he’s a bad lot, is the young Ruffian; it’s my Hopinyum he’s been cotched a-eaten a Pennyworth wi’out a Pin.
But the fact is, he has only been caught sleeping under a basket in Covent Garden, and the School Board People are going to look after him.
This cartoon in the conservative rival to Punch makes several interesting points, the most obvious two of which are that an average middle-class woman concerns herself with this homeless waif while the cabman automatically assumes he’s a criminal. In fact, the Bobby is taking him to authorities who will feed, care, and educate him. Is Judy assuring the audience that the condition of homeless children is far better than widely reported? — George P. Landow
Created 4 February 2022