File:Beggars beginning the day (BM 1868,0808.9426).jpg

English: A beggars' lodging-house, a barn-like structure, with a ladder leading to a loft, a heap of straw against the back wall, a makeshift table, two chairs, and a stool. On the wall is a peg-leg. One stalwart beggar walks with crutch and crutched stick, another sits on the stool adjusting a peg-leg to his knee, his leg doubled back; he shouts: 'Vy Jim you've forgot to tie up your leg'. A ragged boy with a basket of matches registers amusement. A seemingly old man (left) makes up his face at a cracked mirror. On the right a fat woman and a respectably dressed man sit at the table; the woman pours out tea, while the man holds a tankard and smokes a pipe. She says: 'Vel I cant think how a man wat does the gemman so vel can like sich a wulgar breakfast'. He answers: 'Ah you dont know what hard work the respectable lag is, it requires noureshment Mrs Maggs'. A girl crossing-sweeper with a broom stands by the ladder shouting up at the loft: 'Mother!! lend us one of your babies, vill you mother?' A woman's arm projects from the loft holding an infant suspended by its single garment: 'Here take it, and dont squall so, bring me tea vith brandy in it I feel very narvical'. Rats snuff at bones on the floor, and two cats watch a rat-hole. The beggars are well characterized. Feb 7 1832
Lithograph