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places does not concern the wealthy inhabitants of- cities and towns who
live in well-ventilated houses, and which are surrounded by open spaces;
but it, nevertheless, does concern the whole community, as is strikingly
shown by the spread of many diseases which are, perhaps, in the first
instance endemic, and confined to these overcrowded places, but which soon
become epidemic and extend over large areas, attacking indiscriminately
all classes.
As laws have been enacted for the abatement of overcrowding, it is
easy to say let those in authority put them in force; but I much fear,
unless the question is taken up with a spirit of love towards the poorer and
more ignorant classes by the upper and middle classes, and measures
adopted to give instruction to the poor in matters concerning their physical
well-being, the existing state of things will long continue.
As a means to be adopted towards the amelioration of the condition of
the poorer classes, it has been suggested that voluntary societies should be
formed in every district for visiting the houses of the poor, similar to those
which were commenced immediately after the publication of a Pastoral
Letter by the Bishop of London in 1848, iu which his Lordship pointed out,
in clear and forcible terms, the duty of the Clergy and laity in taking
cognizance of those external circumstances which affect the moral and
physical well-being of the poor; and setting forth, as the result of experience,
the intimate connection between disease and pauperism—between filth
and immorality. The formation of several District Sanitary Societies soon
began after the circulation of this well-timed letter, and among others, one
was instituted in the Parish of Whitechapel, of which the late Rev. W.
W. Champneys, Rector, was President. The Association consisted of a
President, Treasurer, a Committee of thirty-two, au Honorary Secretary
and a Collector, and was entitled "The Whitechapel Association for promoting
habits tending to the cleanliness, health, and comfort of the
Industrious Classes in the Parish."
It appears from the report which was issued in October, 1850, that
the Committee engaged the services of an Inspector or Agent, at a weekly
salary of 25 shillings, who visited every street, lane, and court; every house,
tenement, and room inhabited by the class whose improvement was aimed
at; and the accuracy of the Agent's statements was in many cases verified
by the personal re-visitation of Members of the Committee.
In almost every instance the Agent was received with kindness and
civility by the poor people, and on many occasions gratitude was expressed