TWO QUEER TRADE JOURNALS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1921, 14 September 1888, Page 31

TWO QUEER TRADE JOURNALS.

English professional beggars are generally supposed to use a code of chalk marks by which perambulating members of the ignoble fraternity may learn whether the occupants of a particular house are charitably inclined, or the reverse. But they manage things better in France.

In Paris begging takes rank as a trade, requiring a certain amount of special training. Moreover, it is thoroughly well organised, and supports two publications, which are essentially trade organs.

For the sum of six francs a beggar may purchase a "Guide dv Grand Jeu," or " Guide of the Big Game," which is a kind of directory containing the names and addresses of rich philanthropists, and advice as to the best means to reach their pockets.

For three francs a " Guide dv Petit Jeu," or " Guide of the Little Game," may be purchased by mendicants who are too inexperienced to "fly at the big game"; or who prefer the sure sou to the doubtful franc, on the "small profits and quick returns" principle.

These directories are published openly, and the publishers are always ready to pay for additional information concerning people who, having made or inherited wealth, are charitably inclined. They are frequently revised, and would hardly be published if they did not pay.

The entries run somewhat as follows : —

" Rue , 16, Prudhomme. — Jean, retired contractor. Fortune, 500,000f. Radical; strong sympathy with Commune. Comraunards returned from Noumea will receive jrdins. Ragged clothes and unkempt hair and beard desirable. If persecuted andpre- \ ented from obtaining work by police agents, liberal douceur may be expected. See Monsieur; Madame has Bonapartist sympathies."

The natural consequence of such an entry must be that M. Jean Prudhomme is visited by more Communards from Noumea than that island ever contained.

Another entry may run thus : —

(Same street.) " 17.— Jolibois Napoleon, retired tailor. Fortune, 140,000f. Politics, Bonapartist. Religion, Catholic. Devout. Old decayed servants of the late Emperor's household, or stoldiers once in the service of the Pope, are most successful. Face, clean shaven. Clothes threadbare, but neat. Rosary and cross essential."

Of course the returned Communard from Noumea, who has called at No. 16, must take off his unkempt beard, wash his face, and smarten himself up before calling at No. 17, as an old soldier of the Pope's Legion.

All the leading idiosyncracies of the charitably disposed are given in these directories ; so that with a guide book in his pockets, a begger can hardly make a mistake, and " pitch," say, an Orleanist, or Bonapartist tale to a Bed Republican, or vice versa. In addition to personal data, 1 a large amount of varied information regarding wardrobes, police regulations, places to be avoided and the like, is given for the benefit of novices. For instance, Readers are informed that certain classes of philanthropists will not look at a mendicant with a dirty face, or clad in rags, water and a needle and thread being well within the means of the poorest outcast. Beggars are advised to patch their clothes, dark patches to be sewn on with white thread, before calling upon the "clean face " classes.

Others only give alms to mendicants who have had misfortunes, and come down in the world. For these, shabby-genteel attireis recommended. Others, again, will not " part " to any applicant who is not clad in absolute rags.

In addition to information of the above character, these exceedingly remarkable

guide books contain a large amount of matter'concerning things, which it is desirable for beggars to know, such as the etiquette of the profession, the treatment of seniors, and of those who may have a kind of proprietary interest in particular philanthropists, &c.