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The attention of the Inspector is directed also to Bath Place, Phoenix
Passage, and Paragon Mews.
THE TILLAGE OF LEWISHAM.
The Village of Lewisham occupies a somewhat central position in the
District, and lies principally upon a fine broad road, extending about a mile
in length, and on the high road to Bromley.
It is situated upon a bed of the lower tertiary strata, consisting of pebbles
and sand; a very porous, and consequently dry soil. There are also chalk
and marl pits in the neighbourhood.
The elevation of Lewisham at the South part (Rushey Green), is 58.7
feet above the sea level, and gradually declines till at the lowest part,
(viz., Homes Dale), near the bridge, the elevation is 27 feet.
It is supplied with water partly by wells sunk in the neighbourhood, the
water of which appears of good quality, by the Kent Waterworks Company,
by the Ravensbourne, and by the brook running through the village.
The number of houses in Lewisham Village is 1,289.
The population, according to the census of 1851, 6,097.
Although there is a fine sewer running through the village, a great proportion
of the houses, &c., are still using the old method of drainage, viz.,
cesspools, which (as I have already mentioned under article Blackheath),
are particularly objectionable in a porous soil, from their liability to contaminate
the water of wells.
Many drains still open into the stream which runs through the street.
It seems to be highly important (as every facility is afforded), that the
cesspools should be emptied, cleansed, and filled in, and the drainage carried
into the sewer prepared for it.
Several nuisances exist in this locality, to which I beg to call your attention,
and some of these require the most vigilant inspection.
In Willow Walk, Rushey Green, a foetid ditch exists opposite the houses,
at the backs of which are privies and overflowing cesspools, &c., and the
soil is altogether damp and undrained. A large ditch, also carrying drainage,
exists at the backs of the houses in Elizabeth Place.
At Little Blackheath Hill, an extensive yard, used for cows, horses, &c.,
is full of liquid animal and vegetable refuse, and must be extremely pernicious
to the surrounding neighbourhood.
At Homes Dale, Silver Street, Poplar Row, Hanover Street, and Cross
Street there exists overcrowding, want of drainage, overflowing cesspools,
and privies, and it seems necessary for the sake of the health of the neighbourhood,
that a sewer should be formed from this district into the main.
SYDENHAM.
Sydenham is situated on the South-west side of the Parish of Lewisham,
and is remarkable for the beauty of its scenery.
The country is extremely undulating, varying constantly in level, as
Sydenham Hill, 330.5 feet above the sea level, Jews' Walk, 180 feet to 204
feet, Perry Yale 112 feet, Albert Road 186 feet, Forest Hill 227 feet. The
District is very healthy, and no doubt depends for its healthiness upon this
undulation, by which water and drainage naturally run over its surface.
The soil altogether differs from that of Blackheath and Lewisham, con-
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