The little slaves of the harp : Italian child street musicians in nineteenth-century Paris, London, and New York / John E. Zucchi.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Zucchi, John.

Series:

McGill-Queen's studies in ethnic history.

McGill-Queen's studies in ethnic history

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Child labor--France--Paris--History--19th century.

Child labor.

Child labor--England--London--History--19th century.

Child labor--New York (State)--New York--History--19th century.

Street music--France--Paris--History--19th century.

Street music.

Street musicians--France--Paris--History--19th century.

Street musicians.

Street music--England--London--History--19th century.

Street musicians--England--London--History--19th century.

Street music--New York (State)--New York--History--19th century.

Street musicians--New York (State)--New York--History--19th century.

Child musicians--History--19th century.

Child musicians.

Italy--Emigration and immigration--History--19th century.

Italy.

Physical Description:

viii, 208 p., [8] p. of plates : ill. ; 24 cm.

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Montreal : London : McGill-Queen's University Press, c1992.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The padrone were often known to the families of the children or were from the same villages. While some were cruel exploiters who compelled obedience through terror and abuse - a view promoted by a few, well-publicized cases - the lot of most of these children was similar to that of child apprentices and helpers in other trades. Public reactions to the child performers were different in each city and reflected the host society's view of the influx of foreign immigrants in general. Although England, France, and the United States developed legislation in the mid-nineteenth century to deal with children in factories, they did not attempt to regulate children in street trades until later in the century because they saw the work as a form of begging. The battle to get Italian child musicians off the street dragged on for years before legislation and new work opportunities - often as onerous as or worse than street performing - directed the children into new trades.

Contents:

Front Matter

Contents

Preface

Introduction

Emigration and the Street Music Trade

“Les Petits Italiens” in Paris

“The Organ Boys” in London

“The Little Slaves” in New York

Italian Legislation 1868-1873

Conclusion

Sample Contracts between a Padrone and a Parent

The Italian Law to Prohibit the Employment of Children in Itinerant Trades, 21 December 1873, no. 1733 (series 11)

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliography and index.

ISBN:

1-282-85581-6

9786612855818

0-7735-6326-1

OCLC:

929121145