Interesting late Victorian Crawfords biscuit tin..
"Street Arab Boys" also known as street boys . (and girls) They worked,played and sometimes lived in the streets...becoming scavengers ,selling rags,flowers ,matches etc Also called guttersnipes and street urchins. Usually abandoned and orphaned children in slum districts...They have existed through history and in many countries..destitute children roaming the streets During and following a war increased their number .In 1848 it was estimated that there were "30,000 naked,filthy roaming lawless and deserted children in and around London"...forming gangs and engaging in prostitution and petty theft
It is thought "Arab Boys" was a reference to nomadic Arabs
