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Parish of Saint George the Martyr, Southwark.
But not only may the materials of which our buildings are constructed be th???
defective, but the drainage, that part hidden from sight, may be, and is indeed mostly l???
carelessly and imperfectly This mode of placing drains is not confined to lowest ???
houses, but may be met with in the highest. In a block of houses of impressing appeara???
situated in Alexandra Rood. St. John's Wood, one was purchased and occupied by
gentleman with whom I was acquainted. Foul smells almost constantly pervaded
house, varying in intensity, and for which he could find no cause, as all the arrangement
pertaining to the drainage appeared perfect. At last he had the basement flooring ta???
up, when he found the sewage, and waste water, from the house soaking and and weltering
pool of sludge. The house drain had never been connected with the main drain.
Events as they pass, 'although pregnant with the most important lessons, are t???
hastily forgottan, giving rise merely to a day or two of wonder and conversation. Y???
may remember the case of Nelson v. Another and Finch Hatton, which was triad abc???
a year or mora ago; and which gave a startling revelation of the unitary condition
houses in one of our most aristocratic quarters. The case fortunately ended in favour
the defendant, the tenant, who would not pay her rent, owing to the insanitary state of t???
house. The house was situated in Wilton Crescent. Within its boundaries there lay???
large offensive festering 'cesspool, the accumulation of many years. This was connect
with the house by an old imperfect brick drain. The moat efficient means were in f???
operation whereby the house might receive a continuous supply of foul air. Rate abounded
and enjoyed full scope for their presence and depredations. The defence made for th???
state of things, was more extraordinary than the condition which the house present???
The learned Counsel affirmed as an excuse, that it was no worse than others in the neig???
bourhood, that half, the houses in London fifty years ago were a great deal worse, as???
moreover, that the common people in the country lived in houses which at the present ti???
were as bad. And he might have added, did he think each mode of argument cou???
have any power to control an intelligent jury, that oven Princes were no better housed
their palatial residences.
An eminent Civil Engineer, one who has had a very large 'experience in this divisi???
of his profession, informs mo that ninety per cent. of the houses built are imperfect
drained; that the drains are laid in a reckless manner, the joints often not cemented, or
commented, cemented loosely, and with unfit material; and that the way la which they s???
arranged is most unscientific and dangerous. No wonder we have continued ill-health
the occupants, and that zymotic and other diseases should ever be "ranging round to ???
out their weakness."
We have been told that for the efficient improvement of towns, whole blocks as
streets of houses would require to he pulled down. But what would avail this proceeding
if similar structures were raised in their place? There are hundreds of houses which if ???
empty for a few years would fall down like a tower of cards. Nay, we have houses faills
down on every aide before they can become inhabited, before even the roofs can be ???
upon them, from the dishonest and standalone way in which they are built From th???
greed of a few builders, this traffic in human life, and in what makes life valuable ???
openly and defiantly carried on.