Portraits of Children of the Mobility

by Percival Leigh

"Portraits of Children of the Mobility" by Percival Leigh is a collection of sketches and observations, likely written during the early Victorian era. This book provides a satirical and humorous examination of the children belonging to the lower classes, referred to as the "Mobility," contrasting their lives with those of the upper classes. The author highlights the socio-economic disparities and the societal perceptions of the Mobility, infusing the text with wit while exposing the harsh realities faced by these children. In this work, Leigh presents an array of characters from the Mobility, illustrating their daily lives, interactions, and struggles through a blend of narrative and caricature. The children are depicted as playful yet neglected, engaging in rough-and-tumble games, scavenging, and forming friendships marked by their shared hardships and indifference toward societal norms. Characters like Miss Margaret Flinn, Master Gregory Flinn, and others serve as representations of the larger class, living in squalor and longing for a better life. Leigh's work not only captures their innocence and resilience but also encourages sociopolitical reflection on the conditions of the lower classes in contrast with the affluence and exclusivity of nobility.