A CAUTION 

Here we see a drawing by John Leech, depicting a bustling scene, perhaps outside a train station. Note the woman, centrally placed, wearing a cloak with a large tag reading "67, Beware of Pickpockets". This image taps into a primal fear—the loss of personal property, a violation of personal space. Consider how such warnings have echoed through time. The Ancient Roman mosaics with "Cave Canem"—beware of the dog—serve a similar purpose: a direct appeal to the viewer's sense of caution. Yet, this woman is the warning itself, a walking, talking signpost. The act of pointing, like the pickpocket's sly gesture, has recurred throughout history. From the didactic art of the Middle Ages to Renaissance paintings, the pointing finger directs our gaze, influencing our understanding and invoking subconscious responses. It's a potent symbol, manipulating our attention and triggering a sense of alert. Like a recurring dream, these symbols resurface, adapting to their time yet retaining their core message. They are a testament to our shared, subconscious anxieties, forever reminding us to be vigilant in a world teeming with unseen threats.