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21
Park Lane, No. 14. This first-class house affords an
instance, that no one is safe from the recklessness and
mismanagement of workmen. It is contiguous behind
with a stable, No. 22a, Brick Street, and is on a lower
level, for the ground had been excavated when the house
was built, so as to give a fictitious height to the basement
storey; a thing often done by architects, and always
repented of by occupiers. (See case of No. 65, Grosvenor
Street, Report No. VI., p. 13.) Under the floor of the
stable, but on a higher level than the floor of No. 14,
and in contiguity with it, ran a drain, which received
the water-closet drainage of the stable, and that of a
sink at No. 15, Park Lane, on the other side of Brick
Street. This drain had been bricked up. Hence the
water having no vent, oozed, or rather trickled or
streamed through the wall into the wine cellar and butler's
pantry of No. 14. When the floors were taken up,
the stagnant offensive water was lying there; and as the
house lies on a bed of clay, which we have before alluded
to, the water could not soak away very fast. The occupiers
noticed a close sour smell when the house was closed,
and never enjoyed thorough health nor appetite.
Under the directions of Mr. Grant, the offending drain
was restored and cleansed; and the occupier of No. 14,
with great good sense, took up the floors of the basement,
and caused all the offensive mud underneath to be excavated,
and the ground to be made good with clean dry rubbish.
But it was some time before the house could be pronounced
sweet and habitable.
Brick Street, No. 19. Had become dirty, and the roof
out of repair. The owner has done the requisite work.
Ditto, No. 21. The same.
Davies Street, No. 46. Had been damaged by leakage