Record Number: 1272

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Reading Experience:

Evidence:

Henry Mayhew interviews an "aristocratic" crossing sweeper of Cavendish-square: "There was the Earl of Gainsborough as I should like you to mention as well, please sir. He lived in Chandos-street, and was a particular nice man and very religious. He always gave me a shilling and a tract. Well, you see, I did often read the tract; they was all religious, and about where your souls was to go to -very good, you know, what there was, very good; and he used to buy 'em wholesale at a little shop, corner of High-street, Marrenbum."

Century:

1800-1849

Date:

Between 1 Jan 1800 and 31 Dec 1840

Country:

England

Time

n/a

Place:

city: London

Type of Experience
(Reader):
 

silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

Type of Experience
(Listener):
 

solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

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Reader / Listener / Reading Group:

Reader:

Billy ?

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Male

Date of Birth:

n/a

Socio-Economic Group:

Labourer (non-agricultural)

Occupation:

crossing sweeper

Religion:

n/a

Country of Origin:

n/a

Country of Experience:

England

Listeners present if any:
e.g family, servants, friends

n/a

Additional Comments:

n/a

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Text Being Read:

Author:

Title:

n/a

Genre:

Other religious, Ephemera

Form of Text:

Print: Pamphlet, religious tract

Publication Details

n/a

Provenance

owned

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Source Information:

Record ID:

1272

Source:

Print

Author:

Henry Mayhew

Editor:

n/a

Title:

London Labour and the London Poor

Place of Publication:

London

Date of Publication:

1861

Vol:

2

Page:

469

Additional Comments:

n/a

Citation:

Henry Mayhew, London Labour and the London Poor, (London, 1861), 2, p. 469, http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=1272, accessed: 19 April 2024

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Additional Comments:

Mayhew stated that the crossing sweeper was about 69 years of age