It appears that the English street-folk have adopted as a means of secret communication a set of Italian numerals from the organ-grinders and image-sellers, or by other ways through which Italian or Lingua Franca is brought into the low neighbourhoods of London.

In so doing they have performed a philological operation not only curious but instructive.

By copying such expressions as _due soldi_, _tre soldi_, as equivalent to 'twopence,' 'threepence,' the word _saltee_ became a recognized slang term for 'penny'; and pence are reckoned as follows: oney saltee 1d.

uno soldo.
dooe saltee 2d.

due soldi.
tray saltee 3d.