University of Virginia Library

OF THE JUVENILE TRADING OF THE
COSTERMONGERS.

My inquiries among the costermongers induced
one of their number to address me by letter.
My correspondent — a well-informed and well-
educated man — describes himself as "being
one of those that have been unfortunately thrust
into that precarious way of obtaining a living,
not by choice but circumstances." The writer
then proceeds to say: "No person but those
actually connected with the streets can tell the
exertion, anxiety, and difficulties we have to
undergo; and I know for a fact it induces a
great many to drink that would not do so,
only to give them a stimulant to bear up
against the troubles that they have to contend
with; and so it ultimately becomes habitual.
I could point out many instances of the kind.
My chief object in addressing you is to give my
humble suggestion as to the best means of alle-
viating our present position in society, and
establishing us in the eyes of the public as a
respectable body of men, honestly endeavouring
to support our families, without becoming
chargeable to the parish, and to show that we
are not all the degraded class we are at present
thought to be, subject to the derision of every
passer by, and all looked upon as extortioners
and the confederates of thieves. It is grievous
to see children, as soon as they are able to speak,
thrust into the streets to sell, and in many in-
stances, I am sorry to state, to support their
parents. Kind sir, picture to yourself a group
of those children mixing together indiscrimi-
nately — the good with the bad — all uneducated —
and without that parental care which is so essen-
tial for youth — and judge for yourself the result:
the lads in some instances take to thieving,
(this being easier for a living), and the girls to
prostitution; and so they pass the greater part of
their time in gaol, or get transported. Even
those who are honestly disposed cannot have a
chance of bettering their condition, in conse-
quence of their being uneducated, so that they
often turn out brutal husbands and bad fathers.
Surely, sir, Government could abolish in a
measure this juvenile trading, so conducive to
crime and so injurious to the shopkeeper, who
is highly rated. How is it possible, if children
congregate around his door with the very articles
he may deal in, that he can meet the de-
mands for rates and taxes; whereas the
educated man, brought by want to sell in the
streets, would not do so, but keep himself
apart from the shopkeeper, and not merit
his enmity, and the interference of the police,
which he necessarily claims. I have procured
an existence (with a few years' exception) in the
streets for the last twenty-five years as a general
salesman of perishable and imperishable articles,
and should be most happy to see anything done
for the benefit of my class. This juvenile trading
I consider the root of the evil; after the removal
of this, the costermongers might, by classifying
and co-operation, render themselves compara-
tively happy, in their position, and become
acknowledged members of society."

Another costermonger, in conversing with me
concerning these young traders, said, that many
of them would ape the vices of men: mere
urchins would simulate drunkenness, or boast,
with many an exaggeration, of their drinking
feats. They can get as much as they please at
the public-houses; and this too, I may add,
despite the 43rd clause in the Police Act, which
enacts, that "every person, licensed to deal in
exciseable liquors within the said (Metropolitan
Police) District, who shall knowingly supply any
sort of distilled exciseable liquor to be drunk
upon the premises, to any boy or girl, apparently
under the age of sixteen years, shall be liable to
a penalty of not more than 20s.;" and upon a
second conviction to 40s. penalty; and on a
third to 5l.