In this work, St. Hilaire takes inspiration from John Thomas Smith's Vagabondiana series, which consists of engravings of wanderers and beggars in 19th century London. Smith published caricatures of the lower classes of London while working as Keeper of the Prints at the British Museum in 1817. St. Hilaire focuses on one engraving of Joseph Johnson, a former sailor in the British merchant navy who was discharged without a pension before settling in London. Without any recourse or stability after his service, Johnson became a street performer in Whitechapel. Constructing a toy boat of the ship Nelson, on which he had served, Johnson is depicted with the boat atop his cap, leaning on crutches. Upon viewing the original print, St. Hilaire was drawn to Johnson's story.