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house visited.; of the improvements required, ordered, and carried out,
is preserved. It is only necessary here to advert to particular instances
of an exceptional character; and to make a few general observations in
explanation of the principles which guide the Committee in the
laborious but eminently useful work they have undertaken.
Loyne's Buildiags.—At the back of Fuller's Almshouses, Old Street
Road, is a nest of low tenements most unfavourably situated as regards
air and drainage. In 1856 I submitted a minute report upon this place.
Considerable improvements were made in consequence, in the drainage,
in the water supply, in privy accommodation and cleanliness; and some
of the cottages have undergone substantial repairs. But the condition
of seven houses was found to be so bad, that ordinary means were quite
inadequate to render them fit for habitation. In some of the rooms the
cubic space measured from 800 to 900 cubic feet, giving barely 200 feet
for each inmate, whilst the houses, built back to back, offered no means
of obtaining due ventilation. I therefore felt called upon to certify that
these seven houses were unfit for habitation. They were closed in consequence,
until such alterations as were considered necessary were effected.
Fullers Alms Houses, Old Street Road.—The condition of these houses
was brought under the consideration of the Vestry, in the hope that the
Charity Trustees might find means to remove the inmates to a locality,
and to dwellings more suitable to the requirements of aged persons, and
more in harmony with the benovolent intentions of the founders. It is
unnecessary here to recapitulate my report. It is enough to say, that
these houses consist of a row of single rooms, opening directly on the
street, having no back or fore-court whatever; and possessing only two
privies, the doors of which open on the street. The inmates are thus
under the necessity of retaining their evacuations in their confined dwellings
for many hours, and are exposed to cold and wet, in passing to the
privies. The railway now under construction passing close to these
houses, must be a further hindrance to comfort and quiet. I understand
there is a prospect of providing a site elsewhere.
Fort's Buildings, Shoreditch.—The construction of these houses was
found to be extremely unsatisfactory. The ventilation was especially