 | OF THE STREET-SELLERS OF STATIONERY, LITERATURE,
AND THE FINE ARTS. London Labour and the London Poor, volume 1 |  |
OF A "REDUCED" GENTLEWOMAN, AND A "REDUCED
" TRADESMAN, AS STREET-SELLERS
OF STATIONERY.
I now give two statements, which show the cor-
rectness of my conclusion, that among the street-
stationers were persons of education who had
known prosperity, and that, as a body, those
engaged in this traffic were a better class than
the mass of the "paper-workers." They are
also here cited as illustrations of the causes which
lead, or rather force, many to a street-life.
The first statement is that of a lady: —
"My father," she said, "was an officer in the
army, and related to the Pitt family. After his
death, I supported myself by teaching music. I
was considered very talented by my profession,
both as teacher and composer." (I may here in-
terrupt the course of the narrative by saying, that
I myself have had printed proofs of the lady's
talents in this branch of art.) "A few years ago,
a painful and protracted illness totally incapaci-
tated me from following my profession; conse-
quently, I became reduced to a state of great
destitution. For many weeks I remained ill in
my own room. I often, during that time, went
without nourishment the day through. I might
have gone into an hospital; but I seemed to
dread it so much, that it was not until I was
obliged to give up my room that I could make
up my mind to enter one. From that time,
until within a few weeks ago, I have been an
inmate of several hospitals: the last I was in
was the Convalescent Establishment at Carshal-
ton. On my coming to London, I found I had
to begin the world again, as it were, in a very dif-
ferent manner from what I have been accustomed
to. I had no head to teach — I felt that; and
what to do I hardly knew. I had no home to
go to, and not a halfpenny in the world. I had
heard of the House of Charity, in Soho-square,
and, as a last resource, I went there; but before
I could have courage to ask admittance, I got a
woman to go in and see what kind of a place it was
— I seemed to fear it so much. I met with
great kindness there, however; and, by the time
I left, the care they had bestowed upon me had
restored my health in a measure, but not my
head. The doctors advised me to get some out-
door occupation (I am always better in the open
air); but what to do I could not tell. At last
I thought of a man I had known, who made
fancy envelopes. I went to him, and asked him
to allow me to go round to a few houses with
some of them for a small per centage. This he
did, and I am thereby enabled, by going along
the streets and calling to offer my envelopes at
any likely house, just to live. None but those
who have suffered misfortunes (as I have done)
can tell what my feelings were on first going to
a house. I could not go where I was known; I
had not the courage, nor would my pride allow
me. My pupils had been very kind to me during
my illnesses, but I could not bear the idea of
going to them and offering articles for sale.
"My fear of strangers is so great, that I
tremble when I knock at a door — lest I should
meet with an angry word. How few have any idea
of the privations and suffering that have been
endured before a woman (brought up as I have
been) can make up her mind to do as I am
obliged to do! I am now endeavouring to raise
a little money to take a room, and carry on the
envelop business myself. I might do pretty
well, I think; and, should my head get better,
in time I might get pupils again. At present I
could not teach, the distressed state of my mind
would not allow me."
The tradesman's statement he forwarded to
me in writing, supplying me with every facility
to test the full accuracy of his assertions, which
it is right I should add I have done, and found
all as he has stated. I give the narrative in the
[Description: 915EAF. Page 270.]
at once diffuse and minute), as a faithful repre-
sentation of a "reduced" tradesman's struggles,
thoughts, and endurances, before being forced
into the streets.
"I was brought up," he writes, "as a linen-
draper. After filling every situation as an
assistant, both in the wholesale and retail trade,
I was for a considerable time in business.
Endeavouring to save another from ruin, I ad-
vanced what little money I had at my banker's,
and became security for more, as I thought I
saw my way clear. But a bond of judgment
was hanging over the concern (kept back from
me of course) and the result was, I lost my
money to the amount of some hundreds, of
which I have not recovered one pound. Since
that time I have endeavoured to gain a liveli-
hood as a town traveller. In 1845 I became
very much afflicted, and the affliction continued
the greater part of the following year. At one
time I had fifteen wounds on my body, and lost
the use of one side. I was reduced by bodily
disease, as well as in circumstances. My wife
went to reside among her friends, and I, after
my being an out-patient of Bartholomew's Hos-
pital went, through necessity, to Clerkenwell
Workhouse. When recovered, I made another
effort to do something among my own trade,
and thought, after about two years struggle, I
should recover in a measure my position. In
August, 1849, I sent for a few shillings-worth
of light articles from London (being then at
Dunstable). I received them, and sold one
small part; I went the following day to the next
village nearer London. There I had a violent
attack of cholera; which once more defeated
my plans, leaving me in a weak condition.
I was obliged to seek the refuge of my parish,
and consider that very harshly was I treated
there. They refused me admittance, and suf-
fered me to walk the street two days and two
nights. I had no use of my arm, was ill and
disabled. About half-past seven on the third
night, a gentleman, hearing of my sufferings,
knocked at the door of the Union, took me inside,
and dared them to turn me thence. This was in
October, 1849. I lay on my bed there for seven
weeks nearly, and a few days before Christmas-
day the parish authorities brought me before the
Board, and turned me out, with one shilling and
a loaf; one of the overseers telling me to go to
h — ll and lodge anywhere. I came to lodge at
the Model Lodging-house, King-street, Drury-
lane; but being winter-time they were full.
Although I remained there in the day-time,
I was obliged to sleep at another house. At
this domicile I saw how many ways there were
of getting what the very poor call a living, and
various suggestions were offered. I was pro-
mised a gift of 2s. 6d. by an individual, on a
certain day, — but I had to live till that day, and
many were the feelings of my mind, how to dis-
pose of what might remain when I received the
2s. 6d., as I was getting a little into debt. My
debt, when paid, left me but 9½d. out of the
2s. 6d. to trade with. I had never hawked an
article before that time; to stand the streets
was terrible to my mind, and how to invest this
small sum sadly perplexed me. My mind was
racked by painful anxiety; one moment almost
desponding, the next finding so much sterling
value in a shilling, that I saw in it the means
of rescuing me from my degradation. Wanting
many of the necessaries of life, but without
suitable attire for my own business, and still
weak from illness, I made up my mind. On the
afternoon of 2nd Jan., 1850, I purchased 1½ doz.
memorandum-books, of a stationer in Clerken-
well, telling him my capital. I obtained the name
of `Ninepence-halfpenny Man' (the amount of
my funds) at that shop. The next step was how
to dispose of my books. I thought I would go
round to some coffee and public-houses, as I
could not endure the streets. I went into one,
where I was formerly known, and sold 6d.-worth,
and meeting a person who was once in my own
line, at another house, I sold 4d.-worth more.
The first night, therefore, I got over well. The
next day I did a little, but not so well, and I
found out that what I had bought was not the
most ready sale. My returns that week were
only 6s. 2d. I found I must have something
different, — one thing would not do alone; so I
bought a few childrens' books and almanacks —
sometimes going to market with as little as seven
farthings. I could not rise to anything better
in the way of provisions during this time than
dry toast and coffee, as the rent must be looked
to. I struggled on, hoping against hope. At one
period I had a cold and lost my voice. Two or
three wet days in a week made me a bankrupt.
If I denied myself food, to increase my stock,
and went out for a day or two to some near
town, I found that with small stock and small
returns I could not stem the tide.
"I always avoided associating with any but
those a step higher in the grades of society — a cir-
cumstance that caused me not to know as much
of the market for my cheap articles as I might
have done. I am perhaps looked on as rather an
`aristocrat,' as I am not often seen by the street-
sellers at a stand. My difficulties have been of no
ordinary kind; with a desire for more domestic
comfort on one hand, and painful reflections
from want of means on the other, I have had
to call to my aid all the philosophy I possess,
to keep up a proper equilibrium, lest I should
be tempted to anything derogatory or dishonest.
I am desirous of a rescue at the only time
likely for it to take place with advantage, as I
am persuaded when persons continue long in
a course that endangers their principles and
self-respect, a rescue becomes hopeless. Should
I have one small start with health, the priva-
tions I have undergone show not what comforts
I have had, or may hope ever to have, but what
I can absolutely do without.
"I found the first six months not quite so
good as the latter; March and May being the
worst. The entire amount taken from January
2nd to December 31st, 1850; was 28l. 10s. 6d., —
[Description: 915EAF. Page 271.]
cost of goods, 6s. per week; and rent, 1s. 9d.; leaving me but 3s. 7d. clear for living. This
statement, sir, is strictly correct, as I do not get
cent. per cent. on all the articles; and yet with
so small a return I am not behind one single
crown at the present time.
"On New Year's-day last, I had but the
cost price of stock, 5d. Up to the evening of
February 10th, I have taken 2l. 19s. 8d.; —
having paid for goods, 1l. 10s. 5d.; and for
rent, 8s. 10d.: leaving me 1l. 5d. to exist on
during nearly six weeks. These facts and
figures show that without a little assistance it
is impossible to rise; and remember this cir-
cumstance — I have had to walk on some occa-
sions as much as twenty or twenty-two miles
in a day. If those whom Providence has
blessed with a little more than their daily
wants would only enter into the conflicts of
the really reduced person, they would not be
half so niggardly in spending a few coppers
for useful articles, at least, nor overbearing in
their requirements as to bulk, when purchasing
of the itinerant vendor. Did they but reflect
that they themselves might be in the same
condition, or some of their families, I am sure
they would not act as they do; for I would
venture to say that the common street beggar
does not get more rebuffs or insults than the
educated and unfortunate reduced tradesmen
in the streets. The past year has been one
of the most trying and painful, yet I hope
instructive, periods of my existence, and one of
which I trust I never shall see the like again."
I subjoin one of the testimonies that have
been furnished me, as to this man's character,
and which I thought it right to procure before
giving publicity to the above statement. It is
from a minister of the gospel — the street-seller's
father-in-law.
Letter
— I received a letter, last Tuesday, from
Mr. Knight, intimating that he was requested by you
to inquire into the character of Mr. J — N — .
"It is quite correct, as he states, that his wife is
my daughter. They lived together several years in
London; but eventually, notwithstanding her efforts
in the millinery and straw-work, they became so
reduced that their circumstances obliged my daughter
to take her two little girls with herself to us.
"This was in the summer, 1845. His wife and chil-
dren have been of no expense to Mr. N. since that
time. The sole cause of their separation was poverty.
"I consider him to have acted imprudently in giving
up his situation to depend on an income arising from a
small capital; whereas, if he had kept in a place, whilst
she attended to her own business, they might have
gone on comfortably; and should they, through the
interposition of a kind Providence, gain that position
again, it is to be hoped that they will improve the cir-
cumstance to the honour and glory of the Author of
all our mercies, and with gratitude to the instrument
who may be raised up for their good.
| OF THE STREET-SELLERS OF STATIONERY, LITERATURE,
AND THE FINE ARTS. London Labour and the London Poor, volume 1 | |