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the sleeping of single men. In the seventh a good room on the ground floor provides a kitchen for
the one sex the house receives. In the eighth a large ground floor room serves as a kitchen for the
single women and doubles. In the ninth the women have a kitchen in a lean-to in the rear of one of
the other houses. In the tenth no kitchen is provided for the women of the doubles in this house,
and they are not allowed in the men's kitchen. I was told that if they wanted any food in the
dormitory their husbands took it to them in their cubicles.
Water-closets.—In each instance the water-closets are situated in the yards at the rear of the
houses. Separate provision is made for the two sexes in the second house, the water-closets for women
being situated in a back yard common to two houses, occupied by single women and married couples,
while the water-closets for men are in another yard. In the third house there is one water-closet used
in common by both sexes. In the fourth house there are two yards with two water-closets in one, and
one in the other, but apparently not used separately. In the fifth separate accommodation in the back
yard is provided for the two sexes. In the sixth, four water-closets in the back yard are used by both
6exes. In the seventh, two water-closets are provided in the yard. In the eighth, four water-closets
are situated in a yard and a further two, which it was stated were used by women, in the rear of another
yard connected with a house in which the deputy lived and also let in furnished lodgings. In
the ninth, two water-closets were provided for women in the yard in which their kitchen is situated.
In the tenth the women in the doubles used the water-closets provided for the men and themselves.
Washhouses.—In the first house an enclosed and roofed building in the yard contains seven
fixed basins, with cold water laid on, and washing troughs. Here a mangle is provided in the yard.
In the second at the rear of two of the houses, a good washhouse with four fixed basins and water laid
on and with washtubs is provided separately for the women. In the third, two basins are provided
under a roof in the yard for both sexes. In the fourth there are two washhouses, the one in the back
addition having two loose basins with water laid on, the other consisting of three basins
under a roof in the yard. In the fifth the front area is covered in and contains six
fixed basins, with water laid on, for men. At the rear of the yard is a back building
containing five similar basins for women. In the sixth the back addition which communicates with the
women's dormitory contains a washhouse for men, the women using wash-hand stands in their
dormitory. In the seventh beneath a roof in the yard there are four fixed basins with water laid on for
the lodgers. In the eighth at the rear of the building is a washhouse containing five fixed basins with
water laid on, and further there is a scullery in the neighbouring house let in furnished lodgings which
was said to be for women. In the ninth a washhouse containing five basins with water laid on is
provided for women in the yard of the adjoining house. In the tenth basins are provided in the
cubicles.
Shelters and Homes for Women.
With a view to enabling some estimate to be formed of the extent of accommodation in London
provided for women, and which resembles that afforded by common lodging-houses, I have visited the
following houses—
Salvation Army shelter, 194, Hanbury-street.—This shelter was formerly a swimming bath, and
consists of large rooms accommodating 260 persons. One large room is devoted to floor bunks, and
another to "jubilee" bunks. The building is provided with good trough closets, one bath and a washhouse.
The charge for a night's lodging is 2d. A pint of tea can be purchased for ^d., and a large
piece of bread and butter or jam for a similar amount.
The shelter closes at 11 p.m., but applicants are occasionally received after that hour. The
lodgers may enter at 3 p.m. and may remain till 8 a.m. I was told it was quite full the night before
my visit in June, that it was full every night, and that in winter the number of applications would
fill a building twice the size. I have also visited this shelter at night and found it full.
Metropole, Hanbury-street.—This is a house, two rooms of which are used as dormitories, there
are seven beds in each room, the bedsteads are of iron, and are furnished with wire-wove mattresses
and wool palliasses. The water-closets in the adjoining shelter are used by the inmates. The charges
are 6d. per night or 2s. 6d. per week, and meals can be obtained at a charge of 4d. per meal. The
accommodation is good, but I was told the house was not always full.
Dr. Bamardo's home for young girls, 12, Dock-street.—This was originally a public-house, now
converted to use as a home. The upper rooms are used as dormitories, and contain 58 bunks. The
beds are stuffed with seaweed, and are provided with one blanket. There is a good kitchen in the
basement with washhouse adjoining with five fixed basins with cold water laid on, towels are not
supplied. There are four closets in the back yard. This is a free shelter, and until recently a supper
of cocoa and bread was given, but owing apparently to decrease in the funds, this is now discontinued.
Women over 25 years of age are not admitted. The shelter is nearly always full, and was so the night
before my visit in June.
Dr. Bamardo's shelter, 81, Commercial-street.—This building was originally a warehouse, and
afterwards used as the Metropolitan Free Hospital. The dormitories are three large and lofty rooms,
furnished with iron bedsteads, with straw mattresses and seaweed palliasses. In the basement is a
good kitchen which is used by the lodgers. Three trough water-closets are provided in the front
area. Adjoining the kitchen is a good washhouse with four basins with hot and cold water laid on.
Lodgers are expected to wash at night, and may wash in the morning; soap is supplied, but not towels.
Accommodation is provided for 110 to 120 persons, women under 25 years of age, and mothers with
children being admitted. The night before my visit, 57 inmates were received, and the two preceding
nights 72 and 78 respectively.
These numbers are much less than formerly, and the reduction is probably attributable to
efforts made by charitable societies to place the children in homes. No charge is made ; until recently
a mug of tea or a pint of cocoa could be purchased for £d., and two slices of bread and butter for a
similar sum, but lately this has been discontinued for the reason stated above.