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works ordered by the Court to be done, for it is
through such indulgence that the labours of your
officers are seriously increased, and the passive
resistance of landlords to your injunctions encouraged.
In every case, therefore, where at the
expiration of the appointed time for the completion
of the works ordered to be done, the work is
undone, it should be given over to your workmen
for completion, and proceedings at law at once
instituted against the offender; for it is only
by the force of such examples we can hope to
carry out in a proper manner the provisions of
the Act.
I do not expect, however, that even with the
most vigorous exercise of the law, the sanitary
condition of the poor will at once be very largely
improved ; for the situation of their houses in the
narrow courts and alleys of the City, where at times
there is not a breath of direct ventilation, and where
the foul gases generated in profusion by filthy habits,
have no means of escape, but by slow diffusion,
will counteract the best efforts at sanitary improvement.
Built long ago, when the value of light and
air was not at all appreciated, or was interfered
with by legislative enactments, and intended for
the residence of only a single family, they are unfit
for the gregarious occupation of the poor. Besides