The life of people in the bottom of society in London in the 19th century

Photographer John Thompson and journalist Adolphe Smith portrayed the lives of scavengers, corpses of death . to street doctors in London in the 19th century.

Two men work as garbage collectors into John Thompson's lens. According to Smith's reporter, these people are "clever" and often tip money from homeowners. If not, they will become "grumpy" and "dangerous".For example, they deliberately went to collect garbage on a rainy day and brought mud into the house.

The photographer in this picture once opened a shop in the street but then went bankrupt and wandered to take a walk.

Two men in white costumes work as shrouds of corpses. This profession was born in London due to the requirements of epidemiological hygiene. They are described by Smith as " people who often face death to save us from danger".

Street physicians like men in photos have played a very important role.However, when public hospitals were born, they lost their position and life became difficult.

In the picture are the poor people affected by the Lambeth flood in 1877. The tide of the River Thames caused big and small floods every year.

The shoeshine boy always carries his toolbox on his shoulder and only puts it down when he has a customer. According to journalist Smith, London police almost "give up" in punishing those who make shoe polish without a license.

These trucks sell shellfish and shellfish of all kinds, attracting a regular number of customers in the popular community in London.The secret lies in choosing a place to sell: a large area of ​​pubs will be very expensive.

The law in England in the nineteenth century strictly regulated the profession of lock.To prevent a thief, the locksmith is not allowed to make a key according to the print, but must directly see the real lock or must go to the place to look into the lock.The law also prohibits locksmiths from borrowing his keys.