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16
Systematic Inspection of Mewses.
There is perhaps in the Parish of Paddington
a larger proportion of horses and vehicles of all
kinds kept in the midst of its general population
than can be seen in any other District of the
Metropolis. With a view of getting at a correct
estimate of the condition of the dwellings of
persons living in mews and over stables, a systematic
inspection was set on foot some months ago
by Inspector Parsons, and the progress he has
made, is in every way satisfactory. The removal
of manure every third day is generally well
attended to, and most of the mewses are cleanly to
eye; indeed some of the gentlemen's stables,
coach and harness rooms, are models of perfection
in cleanliness, drainage and ventilation ; but upon
close inspection of the living rooms of the people,
sanitary imperfections come upon us at every step.
In fact, these back streets, originally built and
intended for horses and vehicles, and only those
persons without encumberances who are engaged
attending to them, have now become the resort
of persons with large families, following all kinds
of business—rag, bone and bottle stores, shops of
various kinds, including beer houses, builders,
carpenters, smiths, tailors, sweeps, find accommodation
here. Inhabiting the rooms above, too small,
and unfitted with proper domestic accommodation
for a family, live a vast population of all ages.
These evils, the over-crowding in mewses, rather
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