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amongst us the friends, rather than the opponents of
despotism, spiritual and political, for both are the offspring
of ignorance and corruption ?
To permit such grievous evils as are to he seen in the
worst localities of this great city, is a contradiction to
the teaching of Christianity. No one in these days
would limit the duties of religion to ceremonials and
church services; no real religion can exist if duty is
neglected; and surely duty is neglected, while such
outrages on humanity as many of the abodes of the poor
are permitted to remain. It is unholy, it is unchristian,
that people should herd together in such dens; and, so
long as such dwellings are allowed to be occupied, our
assumed religion must be a pretence and a sham.
I will enumerate the more important things to be
done to improve the health of the parish. 1. The embankment
of the river, and removal of the mud banks,
which at low water are exposed to the extent of at least
six times the space of Trafalgar Square: to how many
pleasant and health-giving purposes this large amount
of land might be applied !
2. To make a survey of the drainage of all houses
in the parish, to show how they drain into the sewers
on a map, with a view to make each house independent
of its neighbours, by each having a direct communication
into a sewer.
3. To make a survey of the condition of all houses,
especially those of the courts about Bedfordbury, and
other crowded parts of the parish, with a view to their
demolition or improvement.
I know too well the difficulties which beset our
attempts at such improvements. In the greater part of
London, many years must elapse before any sensible
change can be made; but the very bad parts of the