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10
1000 per annum of the population, as estimated in 1851.
During the same two years, there died in the homes of the
13,000 poor, 544 persons, being at the rate of nearly 21
per 1000 per annum of the persons who occupied these
houses in 1851. In this statement all deaths in the workhouse,
hospital, streets, and Serpentine are left out, although
they belong chiefly to the poor. But without them, the
difference of the mortality in the two classes of residences
is palpable enough.
In the next place, taking 29 places called Mews, with a
population of 2,928 persons in 1851, the mortality in those
Mews was, during those two years, at the rate of 16 per
1000 per annum, whereas the mortality of the remaining
10,072 of the poorer classes, who live in the lodging-houses
in poor streets, was at the rate of 22.3 per 1000 per annum.
Thus the stables, some of which are even luxurious, although
others are still ill-ventilated and rank enough, are, as a
whole, wholesomer than the lodging-houses.
According to a Report presented by Dr. Druitt in April,
1857, there were living in Brown Street 93 families, 47 of
which, at the least, were provided with medical attendance
and medicine by charity. Of the 93 families, 3 had three
or more rooms ; 26 had two rooms; 64 had one room each.
In 61 of the rooms there lived 162 persons. The average
size of these rooms from actual measurement, was 10 feet
square, and 8 feet high, giving a cubic capacity of 800 feet;
and the average rent 3s. 5d. weekly. Of course there are
great varieties in the details. A kitchen measuring 1,145
feet, lets for 2s. 9d.; a second floor front of the same
dimensions for 4s.; a first floor front of 1,440 feet, for
4s. 9d.; a first floor front of 864 feet, for 4s. 6d.; a front
parlour only 864 feet, inhabited by a shoemaker, also 4s. 6d.
The number of inmates varies from 1 to 8.