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has straitened the circumstances of the poor during the years
of this century, have without exception been stultified by the
tone of subsequent events. The absurdity of that doctrine
which inspired McCulloch to prophesy that France in fifty
years would be the pauper warren of Europe stands confessed
in the position of that country to-day as the possessor
of the richest peasantry in the world. That unchristian
doctrine which recognises in disease and hunger the essential
agents and familiar friends of progressive civilization has
ever been an obstacle to reform and an advocate for inaction,
and is largely responsible to-day for the overcrowding and
poverty which are witnessed in our midst. The direction in
which remedial legislation should proceed in order that the
end in view be attained, is here indicated.
(a.) The compulsory provision of space in the vicinity
of the dwelling house, which would admit of a
sufficient supply of air and light, and on the part
of the young give facilities for recreative exercise.
(b.) The counteraction of causes which have raised
the rental value of town districts to an abnormal
and speculative figure, and the removal of
obstacles which are placed in the way of the
expansion of town areas.
(c.) The removal of impediments which stand in the
way of the purchase by the tenant of the freehold
of his dwelling.
(d.) The interception at its origin of the stream of
labour which pours into the town from the country
districts, by the removal of disabilities which now
effectually restrain the occupier in the purchase
of the freehold, whether it be of cottage, garden
land, allotment, or farm.