While Victorians might have had mixed feelings about whether to support the "deserving" vs. the "undeserving" poor, they found it hard to refute the notion that children, at least, were innocent victims of poverty. Even though "breeding" counted for a great deal in Victorian Britain, many steps were taken in the Victorian era to alleviate some of the sufferings of Victorian street children, orphans, and (eventually) the working child.

Müller's Orphanages (Leisure Hour, 1868)

The Ashley Down Orphan Houses in Bristol.

Emigrant Babies, by George F. Millin (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1875)

The Rye Home for Children in Canada took in hundreds of homeless and abandoned "waifs" from England, training them for work in service and farming.

A Children's Day in the Country (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1877)

"The hope of this one blissful day has been known to keep many a ragged child diligent through the three hundred and sixty-five; while the loss of it has driven some, in a sort of revengeful desperation, to theft or other misdemeanours." An interesting, but strongly preachy, look at excursions to the country provided for poor city children.

Our Model Day Nursery, by Lady Georgina Vernon (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1877)

"Though I say creche, we do not use such a word amongst our poor friends, for doubtless it would be thought to be derived from screech, and give unpleasant associations, and so we call it Our Day Nursery.... And so, with thankful hearts, we gather in the little ones from the crowded cottages and from the streets, full of dangers to their fragile lives..." In other words, day care for poor children!

How to Make Poor Children's Clothing, by Dora Hope (Girl's Own Paper, 1880)

The Princess Louise Home (Girl's Own Paper, 1882-1893)

The Princess Louise Home in Essex, also known as "The National Society for the Protection of Young Girls," provided refuge for girls seeking to escape "immoral surroundings," and gave them training in domestic service. Between 1882 and 1893, The Girl's Own Paper regularly ran appeals for contributions and support for the Home, and sponsored regular fundraising bazaars through its readership.

Some of Our Neighbours/Some of Our Neighbours' Children, by A.R. Buckland (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1882)

A look at London's slums and children in poverty.

The Wilson Industrial School and Mission (Harper's Monthly, 1882A)

An asylum for poor girls of New York.

Wolf-Reared Children, by Charles Brace (St. Nicholas, 1882B)

This begins as an account of wolf-reared children in India, but then segues into a moral lesson about "wolf-children" in the streets of New York and how they are saved from a life of crime by the Children's Aid Society.

The Kyrle Society (Girl's Own Paper, 1883)

Among its activities were "taking small parties of children from London courts out into the sunshine in parks, or to museums or picture galleries, or to your own gardens on summer evenings."

Miss Rye's Girls' Homes, by the right Hon. The Marquess of Lorne (Girl's Own Paper, 1884)

Orphan children were sent from Miss Rye's Home in London to a home for orphans in Niagara, Canada, where they were to be trained in domestic service.

The Emigration of Young Girls (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1887)

An interview with Miss Rye, founder of the Rye Home for Destitute Girls (many of whom were sent to Canada).

A Fortnight in Our Paris Orphanage, by Anne Beale (Girl's Own Paper, 1887)

The Distribution of the Competition Garments to the Children of the Board Schools (Girl's Own Paper, 1888)

Cruelty to Children, by David Buxton (Quiver, 1889)

Our Little Children, by Emma Brewer (Girl's Own Paper, 1889)

On the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

Ragged Schools, Old and New, by G. Holden Pike (Quiver, 1889)

Children's Happy Evenings, by Mrs. Jeune (English Illustrated Magazine, 1890B)

"Children's Happy Evenings" is a London association dedicated to providing after-school recreational opportunities for the poor children of London.

Some Board School Children, by James Runciman (English Illustrated Magazine, 1890A)

A look at the variety of children attending London's Board Schools in the slums.

The Children's Day, by The Rev. Henry Bradley, MA (Girl's Own Paper, 1891)

In London in the summertime, those who live near the rails become accustomed to seeing the "specials" go by -- trainloads of city children being taken to a day-long excursion in the country. This article explores their amusements and how to handle a "children's day in the country."

The Invalid Children's Aid Association, by W. Lawrence Liston (Girl's Own Paper, 1891)

A Novel Garden-Party (Girl's Own Paper, 1892)

Garden parties given in the country by one Mr. Boyer for hundreds of London street children.

Prison Fledgelings, by Anne Beale (Girl's Own Paper, 1892)

The Prison Mission, and its work with men and boys.

A Tea-Party in the Height of the Season (Girl's Own Paper, 1893)

A tea-party given for handicapped children.

My Life Work, by May Carden (Girl's Own Paper, 1895)

Work that led to the founding of the Working Youths' Institute.

The Making of Thieves in New York, by Jacob A. Riis (Century Magazine, 1895A)

On the inadequacies of New York schools and the problems of children on the streets turning to crime.

One Way Out, by Jacob A. Riis (Century Magazine, 1896A)

A look at a charity Farm School in the state of New York, established by the Children's Aid Society.

How We Managed Our Creche (Girl's Own Paper, 1897)

Adding a creche for babies to a "ragged school."

Great Centre for the Reception of Used Postage Stamps, by S.F.A. Caulfeild (Girl's Own Paper, 1901)

A brief article about an orphanage, which generated a part of its income by processing used postage stamps.

Poor Children Among Country Flowers, Fruits and Birds, by Mrs. S.A. Barnett (Girl's Own Paper, 1901)

On arranging country "field trips" for poor London children.

"Down by the Sea" (Sunday Strand, 1902)

"An account of the sea-side holiday homes of the Poor Children's Society."

"His Fatherless Children," by Paul Preston (Sunday Strand, 1902)

A visit to the British Orphan Asylum.

In the King's Name (Sunday Strand, 1902)

A look at two British charities: the Orphan Asylum at Slough, and the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners Society.

See also

• Child Workers

• Opportunities for Personal Charity

• Charitable Organizations & Programs