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The first class, too often, cannot be got to see the use of
cleanliness: the second class cannot enforce it: the third
will not. But all should be made responsible for the cleansing
of all dwelling-rooms once a year, and for the emptying
of dust-bins, and purifying of water-closets once a week with
a very little chloride of lime. If these two specific practical
points were attended to, there would be fewer cases of
diarrhoea, fever, and debility, amongst the inhabitants.
Under these circumstances, it is a subject of congratulation
that the " Parochial Association for Improving the
Dwellings of the Poor,'' propose to carry out their original
plan of taking the lease of any suitable premises, improving
them, and sub-letting them in apartments for the poor. Their
model lodgings in Grosvenor Mews are the healthiest dwellings
in the parish. The occupants are encouraged in personal
and domestic cleanliness, and good conduct; and the
managers take good care cf our fourth and fifth items of
cleanliness. The rooms are cleansed and coloured periodically,
and those great chronic sources of disease, the effluvia
of foul water-closets and dust-bins cannot enter the apartments.
We cannot, then, too strongly express our. opinion of the
public benefit to health and morals that will result from the
extended operations of this Association. Must not the feelings
of self-respect and decency be promoted by clean and
airy apartments, more than by walls covered with a dirty
and verminous paper, and a ceiling black with smoke and
exhalations ? Will the poor be likely to go to church when
their landlord, a low tradesman from Peckham, appoints
Sunday morning as his weekly time for coming to collect his
rents ? Will they scrub their floors if they are so decayed
and spongy that they will not become dry ? Must they not
go to market on Sundays, if they have no place to put a bit
of meat into on Saturday night ? Will not the husband be