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48
BLACKHEATH.
Blackheath, or so much of it as is comprised in the Parish of Lewisham,
lies on the north side of the District.
The main portion of the place is situated upon a flat-topped hill, elevated
at its highest point 155 feet above the sea level, and declining gradually as
it nears Lewisham.
It is admirably adapted by its fine open position, and the nature of the
soil upon which it is placed, for a healthful resort, and from its elevation
commands fine views of the neighbourhood.
The ward contains 836 houses.
From the nature of the soil the roads might be supposed to be in good
order. They are in most parts sound and dry, the wet being rapidly removed
after rain.
Its geological formation is, like Lewisham, composed of the lower tertiary
strata, consisting of a crust of pebble beds and sand, varying in thickness,
but averaging about 30 feet, placed upon a bed of shells* mixed with
a hard impervious substratum of Woolwich plastic clay, about 2 or 3 feet
thick, based upon the chalk, which crops out in one or two points of the
neighbourhood.
The drainage of the place is almost entirely into cesspools, which, more
especially on account of the porous nature of the soil, and the impervious
bed beneath, must be decidedly objectionable, and if the population were
more extensive, would doubtless prove prejudicial by its liability to contaminate
the water drawn from wells.
It is supplied with water from many wells sunk in the neighbourhood,
and is said to have a supply of good water from this source.
It is also supplied by the Kent Waterworks Company, who draw their
supply from the river Ravensbourne.
It would surprise a cursory observer to be informed, that close upon this
beautiful neighbourhood exists one of the most pestiferous localities that
could be described in any country place.
I allude to a place called Loat's Pits.
This locality, to which serious attention must be directed, exists within a
few hundred yards of the Heath, between the Heath and Greenwich.
The inhabitants seem to be noted for their squalor and wretchedness.
Many of its houses are unfit for habitation; they are overcrowded; many
of them have no supply of water, and are compelled to beg it of their
neighbours, or go without it.
Some of the cesspools are overflowing. Privies, heaps of refuse, and
other fertile sources of disease abound; and it is important, as a precautionary
measure, that some means should be adopted for cleansing this
Augean stable, loaded with the seeds of disease. I have also to direct your
attention to a nuisance in the shape of a dunghill and offal heap, situated
at the back of Spencer Place, which is calculated to injure the health of
the inhabitants. I am informed that occasionally when this refuse is removed,
the sulphuretted hydrogen evolved blackens the silver in a jeweller's
shop opposite, as well as that in some of the houses near.
*Cyrena deperdita.