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XVIII
APPENDIX.
was 58.8; for the Strand District 145. In Sub-Area B., if the Area
occupied by houses now closed or in ruins be taken into account, the
density figure for 1895 should be 770.
While the figures just stated represent the probable density of
the Area in regard to persons sleeping in it, the fact must not be lost
sight of, that though these figures are excessive, such overcrowding
means more in this part of the Strand District than it would in most
other portions of the Metropolis. Not only is there a large additional
day population in and around this Area, but there is also a succession
of extra populations throughout the whole of the twenty-four hours.*
I would again quote from another of Dr. Conway Evans' Reports (the
32nd), in which on this very point, he said, "Though this 'vicarious'
"overcrowing is obviously beyond the control of legislation, neverthe"less,
when its influence is regarded in conjunction with the evil effects
"of the 'home' overcrowding which is dealt with at almost every
"meeting of your Board, it can scarcely be doubted that the combi"nation
tends to operate prejudicially upon the public health, or that
"allowance ought to be made in respect of this influence whenever
"the general rate of mortality of such a district as this is being com"pared
with that of localities in which their forms of overcrowding
"are slight and unknown."
The conjunction of these two forms of overcrowding while
influencing the resident population, must tell more or less also upon
the localities in which reside the crowds who frequent the district
for business or pleasure. One may say with confidence that in more
ways than one the proximity of a crowded and poor district to an
important thoroughfare like the Strand, to the Law Courts, to
Cove nt Garden Market, &c., is a standing danger to the rest of
London, and that the improvement of such conditions is one of
metropolitan value and importance.
Families and Persons per House.— The number of inhabited
houses has slightly decreased during 1895, but the number of
People doing business in shops, offices, Law Courts, Somerset House, &c.;
people attending theatres and other places of amusement; people engaged during
the night in printing establishments and in Covent Garden Market, besides people
passing through the District to other parts. In 1890, a census taken on several
occasions by Mr. Arthur Ventris, Surveyor to the Strand Board, showed that
upwards of 80,000 persons passed daily along the Strand on foot.