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24
HOUSING.—CENSUS RETURNS, WORKING POPULATION, Etc.
It would appear desirable that some of the more important census figures
relating to the City of London, which have been issued during the past year, should
be brought to the notice of the Corporation. At the same time it will probably be
interesting if certain previously recorded facts are repeated in order that the
changing responsibilities of the City in public health concerns may be better
appreciated.
POPLTLATION.—The number of persons occupying houses and living within
the boundaries of the City was recorded as 13,709 at the Census taken in 1921.
This total represents by far the lowest yet reached in the decline of the City as a
residential area and the following table clearly illustrates the progressive character
of the decline.

* Excluding shops, offices and warehouses.
† Includes buildings and shops.
It will be recognised that the City has now almost resigned its right to be regarded
as a residential area of any importance and the tendency is towards further
decline. A historical survey of the effects on residential accommodation of the
development of the City as a commercial centre would prove an interesting study,
but references in this report must be limited to a few outstanding features.
Even at the beginning of the nineteenth century, the City was essentially a
residential area. Many City Fathers and powerful City Magnates of those
days lived within its borders, though commerce had begun to claim room for expansion;
this was being gained at the expense of the dwellings. The City was
evidently losing its attractiveness and, coincidentally with the demolition of houses
on main thoroughfares, larger houses in other situations were being deserted by
their original occupants and converted into two or more smaller dwellings. Washington
Irving, writing during the early decades of that century, refers to one wellknown
area as follows:— "In the centre of the great City of London lies a small
neighbourhood consisting of a cluster of narrow streets and courts of very venerable
and debilitated houses which goes by the name of Little Britain............
As London increased, rank and fashion rolled off to the west and trade, creeping in
at their heels, took possession of their deserted abodes ....... But though thus
fallen into decline, Little Britain still bears traces of former splendour. There
are several houses ready to tumble down, the fronts of which are magnificently
enriched with old oaken carvings of hideous faces, unknown birds, beasts, and
fishes and fruits and flowers which it would perplex a naturalist to classify. There
are also in Aldersgate Street, certain remains of what were once spacious and
lordly family mansions but which have in latter days been sub-divided into several
tenements ....... The lanes and courts also contain many smaller houses not on
so grand a scale but, like your small ancient gentry, sturdily maintaining their
claims to equal antiquity Little Britain may truly be called the heart's
core of the City, the stronghold of John Bullism."