Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Crime, Gender, Exhibitions, Machinery

    Lamenting the excessive size of women's petticoats', discusses the case of a Quaker arrested for attempting to pick the pocket of a lady visiting the 'Machine Room' of the International Exhibition. Notes that the counsel for the accused defended his client by stressing that he was visiting 'his brother's machinery' at the exhibition and, as a man of 'considerable property', had no financial incentive to commit the robbery. Reveals that the accused was released following strong evidence of his good character, but Punch describes ways in which people may avoid being accused of picking pockets.