The Press.
London, England, 1854-09-02 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

has been roused to such a degree that they threaten to destroy the
place. I recommend that notice should be given to the tenant to quit,
preparatory to most stringent measures. The red tape worm's pre-
sence in this locality is sufficient proof of the unhealthiness of the
atmosphere.
Our next visit was to the Home-office. I need hardly assure your
Lordship that I was not likely to find anything here except what
deserves, at my hands, the most cordial tribute. Nothing can be more
complete than the system of " ventilation," there is a constant stream
of intelligence (of the very first water) passing through, and the whole
of the brooms sweep with the cleanliness proverbially associated with
novelty. If I had a suggestion to offer, it would be that the talent
and conscientiousness displayed by the authorities might be advan-
tageously exercised in a far higher sphere, and it would give me plea
sure to take the charge of the place myself, if by doing so I released
abilities of a nobler order, and placed them at the service of the
country.
The Foreign-office is in a different state. There is a stagnation
somewhere, which infects the whole neighbourhood, and, though fumi-
gation with tobacco smoke is practised with extreme diligence, this is
inadequate. The odour resembles that detected in the Treasury.
The inhabitants seemed willing, but timid, and were obviously afraid
to take any step on their own responsibility. Reform here, though
not so immediately and absolutely necessary as elsewhere, cannot long
be deferred with safety, especially as WeAern breezes are setting in.
At the Board of Control we were triumphantly shown a great
Pump, of wood, in proof that there was nothing to desire, but upon
examination we found that this was incapable of being made to work
satisfactorily, and as often threw out mud as anything better. Some
unfortunate Hindoos, who huddled under the shelter of the Board,
were in a most unhappy condition. Lowe fever was prevalent. Early
ejectment of the present tenants Is necessary to the welfare, I may
say of millions of her Majesty's (our gracious mistress's) subjects.
The Exchequer was the next object of our examination, and I
wish that it were in my power to speak more favourably of the condi
tion of this locality. because it is of the utmost importance that the
public mind should be at ease on such a subject, and because many
assurances have lately been given that the most active reforms have
been prosecuted here. I grieve, however, to say, that the state of the
Exchequer is most unsatisfactory. The drainage, which comes from
the Threadneedle-street sewer,'has been frightful, and a succession of
violent falls, devised with a reckless want of system, has exhausted the
force of the current, and terminated in hopeless stagnation. Numerous
traps have been tried, but they have been worse than useless, and the
ordinary channels will soon be unavailable. Remonstrances have, it
seems, been repeatedly made from the City, which is greatly injured
by such a state of things, but they have been treated either with civil
or uncivil neglect, and have been met by imputations that they were
dictated by private interest. It is difficult to estimate what is now
dammed up by the system which has been pursued, but the species of
manure is perfectly useless unless spread, and indeed is actively per-
nicious, for in the trading districts paralysis, produced by this un-
wholesome condition of affairs and the terror it generates, has made
its appearance. The vaunted reforms were, literally, all upon paper.
Much testiness was displayed by the principal occupant, who evinced
contiderable dexterity in evading our inquiries, and in endeavouring
to fix blame upon other parties than himself. I should neglect my
duty did I fail to add that early ejection of the present nest of tenants