The temperance movement

A carte-de-visite produced as part of the Temperance movement, which sought a reduction in the excessive use of alcohol, preferably through the adoption of total abstinence (teetotalism). During the Victorian period the temperance movement became more radical, advocating the legal prohibition of all alcohol, rather than simply calling for moderation.

A short, sentimental verse is printed recto in the lower margin:

'Father, dear Father, come Home with me now,
The clock in the steeple’s struck one!
You promised, dear Father, that you would come Home,
As soon as your day’s work was done.
Our fire has gone out – our House is all dark,
And Mother’s been watching since tea,
With poor Brother Benny so sick in her arms,
And no one to help her but me.'

Photographed by Michael Burr of Birmingham.

Entered at Stationers' Hall on 31 October 1867 as 'Photograph called 'Father Come Home'. Little girl holding her father's hand who is playing at cards in a tap room.'