View report page

18
Parish of St. George the Martyr, Southwark.
"the imperial city contained 1,300 reservoirs, into which the mighty aqueducts that spanned
the road campagna poured a daily supply of 15 millions of cubic feet, or 325 millions of
gallons of water." In this year of grace, 1862, and in this metropolis, there are numbers
which do not receive one drop from month to month; whilst to all (with the fewest exceptions)
it is only given for a limited time daily. Water, of which there is such an abundance
in this country, (or it is sadly belied) and of which there is such an urgent need, is thus
miserably doled out to us.
Wo have had occasion, for various purposes, to take out summonses; and these have
brought about the designs intended. There was one, which I will more especially notice,
as it may form a precedent; and that was for the removal of a Piggery in Falstaff's Yard.
It was somewhat notable, from the number of times it had boon brought before the Vestry,
or rather the Sewers' Committee, both by my predecessor and myself. A desire having
been manifested not to have it removed unless really necessary, many suggestions for
mprovements were made, and as readily carried out by the proprietor. Nevertheless
complaints were still repeated by these dwelling near, and with great roason. In a small
space were collected together as many as 60 Pigs. It was quite impossible so largo a
number could bo kept in such a locality, witheut creating a nuisance, and one of an
intolerable kind. I feel bound to say that the owner did all ho could to prevent complaint
except—remove them. The condition of Pigs thus kept is most unnatural; huddled
together, with scarce room to stretch their legs, much less to take exercise, an object very
necessary for the keeping them in health, and fit for food. It has been urged in favour of
keeping pigs in towns, that they eat up the offensive offal and refuso, and in fact, act as
scavengers. I would ask, What manner of food must pigs so fed make? Who, of choice
and knowledge, would eat these scavengers ? Pigs cannot be too carofully fed, nor their
health too closely tended, as their sole ond is to bo eaten. During the reign of Georgo III.
many important sanatory measures were brought beforo Parliament; but the only one
which, succeeded in becoming law, was that for the prevention of keeping pigs in towns:
a fact which led Goldsmith to observe, that all ended in a squeak!
Every thing connected with the health and strength of the young, who are to carry
forward the destinies of this great nation, when these who are now labouring under the
heat and burden of the day shall have lain them down to rest, must needs bo a matter of
the first importance. One of the purposes for which this Vestry was appointed was, to
carry out these measures that had for their aim the prevention of sickness and untimely
death; and in no wise can this be more fitly done, than by looking after the interests of the
young. And who cannot but pity their case in this vast city ? Where are their fields and
play.grounds, in which they may give full swing to their physical instincts, and developo
their bone and muscle, upon the basis of which a strong and sound mind can alone be
formed? Nowhere ! For them exists only the street, or may be a small back yard, which
a hop and skip would compass; but even this privilege is not common; and a street was
I not made for a play.ground. Indeed, its use for such a purpose is far from being unattended
with danger. Some games are perilous to organ and limb. Accidents from this cause wo
must all have seen or heard of; besides, property is endangered. The chief actors in the
scene often also suffer for the doing of that which Providence intended, else is their instinct
utterly perverted. How often are they emphatically sworn at, cuffed on the ears, or