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A "City Arab" - from a photograph taken before admission to the Belvedere-Crescent Reformatory, 1856 Creator: Unknown. A "City Arab" - from a photograph taken before admission to the Belvedere-Crescent Reformatory, 1856 Creator: Unknown
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A "City Arab" - from a photograph taken before admission to the Belvedere-Crescent Reformatory, 1856 Creator: Unknown. A "City Arab" - from a photograph taken before admission to the Belvedere-Crescent Reformatory, 1856 Creator: Unknown
A "City Arab" - from a photograph taken before admission to the Belvedere-Crescent Reformatory, 1856. Homeless boy on the streets of London. That the once filthy, vagrant, emaciated, idle, reckless, and obscene, should not only present an appearance of cleanliness and comfort, but actually come to be industrious, prudent, and moral, is a phenomenon well deserving the attention of those who are able to appreciate the difficulty of the process, and the reality of its achievement'. From "Illustrated London News", 1856
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Bare Feet Feet Foot Homeless Homelessness Ragged School Reform School School Street Child Barefoot
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City Arab
EDITORS COMMENTS
- A Snapshot of Hope and Transformation: A Homeless Boy's Journey to the Belvedere-Crescent Reformatory, 1856 This poignant photograph captures the image of a young, barefoot boy, later referred to as a "City Arab," on the grimy streets of London before his admission to the Belvedere-Crescent Reformatory in 1856. The creator of this black-and-white image remains unknown, but the powerful message it conveys is a testament to the transformative power of education and reformation during the Victorian era. At the time, London's streets were filled with homeless, ragged children, who were often the victims of poverty, neglect, and the harsh realities of urban life. The "City Arabs," as they were called, were a particular concern for social reformers and the press. The "Illustrated London News" reported, "That the once filthy, vagrant, emaciated, idle, reckless, and obscene, should not only present an appearance of cleanliness and comfort, but actually come to be industrious, prudent, and moral, is a phenomenon well deserving the attention of those who are able to appreciate the difficulty of the process, and the reality of its achievement." The Belvedere-Crescent Reformatory, one of many such institutions, aimed to provide a safe and nurturing environment for these children, offering them education, discipline, and a chance at a better future. This photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and potential of these children, who, despite their challenging beginnings, were able to transform their lives through the power of education and reformation. The "City Arab" image is a valuable historical artifact, offering a glimpse into the social and cultural landscape of 19th-century Britain. It is a poignant reminder of the importance of education, the transformative power of hope, and the potential for personal growth and development, even in the most challenging of circumstances.
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