George Cruikshank (in 'Oliver Twist') 1837
THE ORANGE BOY
Sir, - As The Times is always open for the insertion of
any remarks likely to caution the unwary or to put the unsuspecting on their
guard against the numerous thefts and robberies committed daily in the streets
of London, I am induced to ask you to insert a case which happened on Saturday
last, and which I trust may serve as a warning to those of your lady readers who
still carry purses in their pockets.
A young lady (and, as the police reports add,) of very
prepossessing appearance, a relation of the narrator's, was walking between 12
and 1 o'clock with another young lady, a friend of hers, in Albany-street, where
she resides, when she was accosted by a boy about 11 years of age, who asked her
in the most beseeching tones "to buy a few oranges of a poor orphan who
hadn't a bit of bread to eat." She told him to go away, but he kept
alongside, imploring assistance, and making some cutting remarks about "the
ingratitude of the world in general and of young ladies in particular." As
his manner became very troublesome the lady threatened to give him in charge of
a policeman, and looked down every area to find one; but there was not one even
there, and the boy kept up his sweet discourse and slight pushes alternately
(the latter with the basket on which he carried his oranges), until the lady
reached her own door-step. It then occurred to her that in the boy's ardour to
sell his oranges he might have taken her purse; her friend thought so too. A
trembling hand was inserted into the pocket; the purse was gone, and so was the
lady's happiness. She flew after the thief, who, knowing young ladies were not
made for running, coolly deposited his basket on a door-step a little way off
and ran away whistling. This brave young lady ran also, shouting "Stop
thief! stop thief!" (but then young ladies are not made for shouting, God
forbid!) and she looked in the fond hope that a policeman might be found. But no
such luck, the culprit got safely off with the purse and its contents; and no
kind passer by tried to help the young lady, who was thus shamefully duped and
robbed. Ladies, young and old, never carry your purses in your pockets; beware
of canting beggars, and beggars of all sorts, that infest the streets; and,
above all, keep a watchful eye about you and give the widest possible berth
to THE ORANGE BOY.
letter to The Times, March 5, 1850
see also Henry Mayhew, Letter V, Morning Chronicle, on pickpockets - click here
see also Henry Mayhew, Letter XXVII, Morning Chronicle, on pickpockets - click here