The Express.
London, England, 1846-12-05 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY EvENING, DECEMBER 5, 1846.

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stripped of a considezable portion of his capital
by an act of his landlord, the fault must
be that of the system. A landowner, professing so
much sentiment, of such earnest benevolence in Dor-
setshire, can never be an oppressor in Essex. The
scene may change, but the warm-hearted philanthro-
piat will not be less benevolent in the Beat than in
the West. The following quotations from the con
respondence, therefore, will eminently illustrate the
system.
T.. 1, appears filet about ten years ago, Mr. SHERIDAN,
in right of his wife we believe, came into possessie,A
a farm at Upmineter, in Essex, near Homier& 'fhe
farm, or rather the two farms, consisted of 243 acres,
and was then occupied by Mr. Jour; BA:AKIN, as a
yearly tenant, at the rent, ultimately, of 3351.
Mr. I3ANYIN had succeeded his father, who had
occupied the same farm for forty-four years.
Here we have a case in which, if ever, a feeling of
" mutual confidence" might be supposed to have been
created between landlord and tenant. When Mr.
BANKIN came into the occupation he had no agree-
ment or lease of any kind, but he entered according
to the custom of the country, that is, " paying for all
fallow', hay, straw, dung, compost, &c.," and of
course entitled to quit,—though the idea of quitting
never seems to have flitted across the tenant's mind,—
upon the like terms of beint paid for all fellows, hay,
straw, dung, compost, &c. He promised the landlord's
agent to farm, at least as well as his father had done,
and he amply redeemed his promise ; for, up to the
year 1841, he had brought upon the farm,i manure
to the value of 1,0001., beyond an equivalent for
the produce sold off, according to the course of hus-
bandry in the neighbourhood. In one year he
paid a bill of 2501. for lime, most of which was
bestowed on these farms. "During the three years
preceding 1841, he had often as many as five teams
on the road at once, fetching home manure." He had
drained a considerable part of the land ; he had laid
out more than 1001. in erecting buildings and sheds
for stock; he had been in the habit of expending
yearly in labour from 5001. to 7001., or something like
double the amount of his rent ; and his father and
himself had converted 43 acres of poor arable land
into useful meadows, at an expense of from 81. to 101.
per acre. Before the last-mentioned improvement
there were only fourteen acres of meadow land on
the two farms, so that the increase of permanent
value given to the; estate by the convenience of addi-
tional meadows is considerable. His rent, rates, and
tithes had all been raised in consequence of these
improvements ; his landlord's agent had repeatedly ex-
pressed his approbation of the way in which the
land had been farmed, nay had even *entreated it
advantageously with the farming of another tenant.
In 1840, it would seem, the tenant conceived that he
was entitled to reap somewhat where he had sown, and
then the landlord's agent required him, under threat
of an immediate notice to quit, to sign an agree-
ment, which virtually made over to the landlord at
once and for ever the whole of the capital Mr. RANKIN
had expended in the improvement of the farm.
Having. got up the farm to a comparatively high state
of cultivation, he was compelled by his new agree-
ment to keep it up to that standard without
any right to claim one shilling of the sum he
had expended in getting the farm up. Now
it can never be suspected that a respectable
agent, and a landlord of sentiment and benevolence,
could have intended anything of the sort, but the
effect of this operation was to deprive the tenant of
just so much capital as he had invested in improve-
ment, and that without compensation. Here there
should have been a law of tenant-right to interpose.
This new agreement, signed under compulsion, was
dated in October, 1841, and its simple object was to
impose on the tenant restrictions to which, as occupying
under the custom of the country--that is, without any
special stipulations—he had not been before subject.
The landlord agreed to let the farm to the tenant from
year to year, precisely as he stood before as to tenure
without any agreement, and the rent, which by ge-
neral custom is payable half-yearly, was made payable
quarterly. This will be a point not without significance,
when we shall sec the subsequent correspondence.
Then bearing in mind that the tenant had entered
on the terms of paying for " all fellows, hay, straw,
dung,and compost, &c.," and that he had been farming
with the imagined right to be paid for the same things
should he leave the farm. The substance of the
agreement was, that the tenant should " consume
I upon the farm all the hay, straw, halm, stover, tur-
mps, &c., arising from it, and leave all the muck
arising therefrom in the yards, for the benefit of the
landlord, or the incoming tenant, without any allow-
ance for so doing ;" and, also, "not to mow more than
one-third of the pasture land in any one year."
Here then he was committed. By signing that agree-
ment he virtually transferred to his land all the capi-
tal he had expended in improvement. But what could
he do? It might have been taken at once with the
strong hand, and under the threat of having it so
taken, he signed the agreement. Humble and sub-
servient as farmers too generally are, and Mr.
BANJOS seems to have been duly impressed with the
I duty of humility towards his landlord, such a vena-
-1 action as this could not take place without some
jar to " mutual confidence," the entente cordiale be-
tween landlord and tenant. At all events, the tenant
began to think it time to look out for himself. He
took off more produce, and carried on less manure,
than he had previously done ; in short he endeavoured
to yet back his own capital. That, however, he had
by a stroke of the pen transferred, though without
consideration, to his landlord; and the land-agent,
who thought it proper to require such new agreement
from the tenant, naturally insisted on its enforcement,
after signing the agreement, the exclusive right of
shooting, which Mr. BANKIN and his father had
always enjoyed, and which, in this case, formed a
source of both pleasure and advantage to the tenant,
was taken away. Of course there was much complaint
and dissatisfaction between the tenant and the land-
agent, fur, up to July last, the tenant had never seen
his landlord. Matters went on, however, until March
last, when the tenant received a cavalier notice to
attend the land agent for the purpose of being served
with a notice to quit.
After receiving the notice to quit, Ma. BANKIN, on
the 23rd of March, wrote to Mr. THYNNE, the agent,
setting forth the hardship of turning him out after he
had so much improved the farm.
To this Mr. BaasiN received from Mr. TnraNE a
letter, which intimates his intention to enforce the
terms of the signed agreement, being, of course, by
law, entitled so to do.
Mr. BANKIN does not pretend that he brought back
manure after the enforced agreement of 1841, as he
had done before, nor could it be expected : he was
then caught at a disadvantage, and he was trying to
get back some of his own money. On the 14th of
April the agent sent a peremptory demand for the rent.
In July, a gentleman was seen upon the farm whom
Mr. BANKIN'S men suspected to be Mr. SHERIDAN,
and they having informed their master, he went, and
for the first time spoke to his landlord. The conver-
sation naturally was not a pleasant one, and on the
27th of July, the tenant addressed a letter to his
landlord stating his grievances. Of this letter Mr.
SHERIDAN took no notice. On the 3rd of August a
mandate to observe the agreement was addressed by
the agent to the tenant. And a somewhat similar letter
was written by the agent on August 10. On the 17th
of Aug. Mr. BANKIN addressed to Mr. PEARCE, the
senior partner of the agent, Mr. THYNNE, calling to
his recollection the long standing connexion of the
tenant's family with the estate, and requesting Mr.
PEARCE'S interference, to allow Mr. BANKIN to retain
at all events one of the farms. That letter, which is
too long for our columns, unhappily illustrates the
semi-feudal relations of landlord ancl tenant of such
wide prevalence in England.
Mr. PEARCE replied in a more kindly spirit than is
apparent in his partner's letters, but declined, on
account of his great age, and practical retirement
from active business, to interfere. Valuers were then
namedand the valuation was made according tothe terms
of the agreement of 1841, and it will surprise no one
to learn that the tenant, whose capital had been
appropriated and annexed to the estate, had to pay a
further sum of 238/. 13e. for cross-cropping
iset and so
forth. After several letters hnd the agent
peremptorily demands the amount of the valuation.
To this the tenant replies that he will pay the money
in London or at Rumford market, as may be desired.
So ends this "eventful," but, as the tenant-farmers
too well know, by no means " strange.history." Our
limits will not permit us on this occasion to offer any
—"lents.

main ; and from that time nothing be admitted free of duty.
AU goods which remain at the end of nine month
be ~ not bar-
log paid duty, will either have to pay duty,
or sent abroad.
With respect to the future commercial relations and customs
of Cracow, we flea the following statement in letters from
Breslau of Nov. '..0 ; " Accordiug to accounts received this day
from Berlin, t;ne deputation from this city has bad several
conferences, among others, with the Minister of Finance.
is unfavourable to our city
The resu":4 we are sorry to say,
and to tit provinces, for the Minister a Finance only
kl^",es that the conditions of the incorporat. A mtion ote f Cracow
'''.tk the Austrian territory are :—litodera transit
duty through the territory of Cracow. 2nd. The permis-
sion to have magazines for transit goods in Cracow itself ;
and, lastly, the junction of the railway. The deputation
afterwards had an audience of his Majesty the King." It
appear' from this that the trade with Cracow is lost to no,
, since goods will he liable to pay duty according to the Aus-
trian tariff.
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16bt QVOUTt.
THE ROYAL VISIT TO ARUNDEL CASTLE.
ARUNDEL, FRIDAY.—The Queen has expressed her-
self highly pleased by the visit to Petworth House yesterday,
and his Royal Highness the Prince Consort was equally
gratified in viewing the rare assemblage of works of art
brought together in that splendid seat. Colonel and Mrs.
Wyndhiun received the illustrious party. Her Majesty
and the Royal Prince were conducted over the principal
suite of rooms by the gallant colonel and Mrs. Wyndham.
Petworth House was bequeathed to Colonel Wyndham by
his father, the late Earl of Egremont. The mansion, a modern
building, is in na particular remarkable for its architectural
elegance; but its size renders it imposing to the eye of a
stranger. It is surrounded by a beautiful park, more than
twelve miles in circumference, and according to a
popular author, " Nature must have formed it when in one
of her sportive moods." The interior of the mansion
fully compensates for the absence of elegance in the exterior.
All the principal rooms are spacious and of noble propor-
tions, and the different apartments abound with works of art
and vertu. The " Carved-room," as it is called, is the grand
object of admiration, and, as might be imagined from its
name, contains some of the most exquisite wood carvings by
the famous and inimitable Grialing Gibbons. It is recorded
that while the work was in progress a fire occurred, and in
saving one of those superb carved festoons which embellish
the room, Selden, a favourite pupil of Gibbons, lost his life
from the conflagration. The Prince greatly admired the
room and remained in it some considerable time. A fine
collection of portraits is hung in the room, the carved frames
being unadorned by the hand of the gilder. In
the other saloons are numerous antique statues.
There are also selections from the best productions of
English sculptors. The Prince and her Majesty greatly
admired Flaxman's beautiful group of " Satan and the
Archangel Michael," and his graceful " Apollo." Carew
has contributed some of his best works. A large number of
paintings by Ruben', Claude, Cuyp, and the old masters,
are deposited there, as well as a valuable collection of the
works of Reynolds, Gainsborough, Romsey, Callcott, Fuseli,
Hilton, Leslie, and Turner. Pctworth House is celebrated
for its matchless series of portraits of the Percy's, to whom
Petworth originally belonged, by Vandyke. When the
Percy family became extinct, Petworth passed by marriage
to Charles Seymour, Duke of Somerset, through whose
second daughter it came into the possession of the Wyndham
family. Her Majesty and Prince Consort, on leaving, gave
expression to the pleasure they had derived from the visit.
After planting the trees yesterday, and visiting the ancient
church, her Majesty was conducted by the Duke of Norfolk
to the Fitzalan chapel, where are deposited a long line of
gallant warriors of the Fitzalan family. The interior of the
building is in decay, and differs very little from the condition
in which it was left by the soldiers of Oliver Cromwell, who
deprived the splendid tombs of all their enrichments, and
desecrated it by converting it into a stable. Her Majesty's
notice was attracted to the fact that three stone altars within
the chapels escaped the soldiers, and have survived the Re-

formation.
The Duke of Wellington rode outyeaterday to Littlehamp-
ton, and visited the battery at the mouth of the river Arun.
His Grace was accompanied by the Countess of Ent smere.
The Diatin family, the well-known performers on the sax-
horns, were introduced in the evening, and had the honour
to play a selection of their favourite pieces to the royal
circle.
Her Majesty and the illustrious party, in the course of the
evening joined in a " carpet dance, the Queen and the
Earl of Arundel and Surrey opening the quadrille with
Prince Albert and Lady Adeliza Howard vie-a-ris. A
country dance took place in the library, comprising eleven
couple. Her Majesty gave her hand ta the Duke of Norfolk,
and Prince Albert danced with Lady Mary Howard. After
partaking of refreshments in the corridor at twelve o'clock,
the festivities terminated by the retirement of her Majesty
and the Prince Consort.
This morning the Duke of Wellington. took his departure
for town shortly after nine o'clock. Lord and Lady John
Rll left for the metropolis previous to the departure of
herusse Majesty, and Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston
closed their visit this afternoon.
Punctually at ten o'clock, the Queen, attended by the Duke
of Norfolk, followed by Prince Albert aid the Duchess of
Norfolk, descended from the staircase, and after taking a
final leave of the Duchess, her Majesty and Prince Consort
entered the carriage, tine band instantly striking up the na-
tional anthem. A royal salute was fired from the artillery
in the park on the departure of the august visitors, and the
royal standard, which had floated from the keep, was lowered
as
the royal carriage passed the precincts of the castle.
The Dille of Norfolk preceded the Queen on horseback
as far as Chichester, and was afterwards to accompany her
Majesty to Portsmouth. At the lodge gate at Arundel an
escort of the Yeomanry Cavalry was ranged on each side,
commanded by the Earl of Arundel and Surrey, and as the
royal cortige merged from the entrance to the castle her
Majesty and her royal husband were enthusiastically received
by the crowd of spectators that had gathered there. The
I escort immediately formed round the royal carriage. and
amidst the reiterated cheers of the populace the cavalcade
proceeded on the journey to Chichester at a brisk pace.
The hospitality of the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk has
been of the most princely character, but devoid of anything
approaching extravagant parade. The noble duke and
duchess, while engrossed in offering proper respect to the
sovereign and her illustrious consort, were not unmindful of
the poor, who have bountifully shared their munificence.
In-
A strong body of the metropolitan police force under
Spector Otway have been on duty at the !Castle during the
Queen's visit. Through their vigilance five of the swell
mob " were detected on Tuesday last, and expelled from the
neighbourhood.
PORTSMOUTH, DEC. 4.—HER MAJESTY'S RETURN.
—Her Majesty and suite arrived this morning at the dock-
yard at a few minutes before one, and proceeded to the
King's-stairs, passing the Admiralty-house. On arriving at
the entrance gate, Major-General Sir H. Pakenham, halted
to ascertain if her Majesty had any commands, but the
answer was in the negative, and the cavalcade proceeded
onward to the King's-stairs. The royal standard was ready,
as was everything else, in the event of her Majesty honour-
ing the admiral by viewing the suite of rooms, which, at a
few minutes notice, may on any occasion that her Majesty
requires them, be made fit for her reception. An
escort of Lancers accompanied her Majesty to the
King's-stairs, where a guard of honour, supplied by
the Royal Marine Artillery, with Col. Gibson and
Adjutant Savage, accompanied by the Royal Marine band,
was stationed. Her Majesty was received by Admiral
J. C. Ogle, Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, John Fincham,
master shipwright, C. Brown, Esq., master attendant, Capt.
Pasco, Capt. Chads,Capt. Wilson, ILA., Capt. James, R.E.,
and a great number of other officers. Her Maj
leave of his Grace the Duke of Norfolk, bowing
to the different officers, descended the steps with Prince
rt Albe, and entered the royal barge, steered by Lord Adol-
phus Fitz-Clarence, amid the cheers of the standee by and
the cheering sounds of the music. The dockyard band also
attended, arid the singers selected from the workmen of the
yard sung with most expressive loyalty—
God save the Queen Long live the Queen!
May her reign be prosperous
Vittoria reigns! May her reign be prosperous!
Her Majesty embarked at five minutes to one, and at one
o'clock the Fairy was gliding along, while the men who had
manned the yards of the different ships in the harbour,
lustily cheered. Her Majesty, arrived at Osborne at
a quarter to two o'clock, the weather having been
favourable for the excursion. The boys and girls of the Sea-
men's and Marine Orphan Schools were arranged, as on her
Majesty's arrival, in front of the railing before the Ad-
miralty House, the boys dressed in sailors' attire and the
girls in warm blue cloaks. The admiral's band was
stationed in front of his house, and played the National Air
on her Majesty's arrival. Liberal arrangements were made
for the admission of persons into the yard, and her Majesty
must have seen with pleasure the strict order preserved,
although hundreds had the gratification of beholding their
_sovereign. The preparations were exceedingly effective, and
did much credit to the master-builder and master-attendant,
who had the arrangement of the matter. Outside the gates,
and in every direction where her Majesty passed, demon-
strations of loyalty were numerous.
WINDSOR, FRIDAY EVENING.—It is considered
extremely probable, should the present favourable weather
continue, that her Majesty may prolong her stay at Osborne
House, until the end of next week. It is stated to be the
intention of her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince
Albert, to honour the Smithfield Club Cattle Show with
their presence, immediately upon the return of the court to
Windsor.
THE PRINCE CONSORT'S FAT CATTLE. Four
splendid beasts, fattened by his Royal Highnesa Prince
Albert, upon Flemish Farm, near Windsor, will be exhibited
at the ensuing Smithfield Club Cattle Show. They have
been pronounced by several competent judges, to be worthy
of the highest commendation. Two of them, West Highland
Heifers, were sent off this morning for Baker-street. The
largest butcher in Windsor, has offered Major-General
Wemyess at the rate of ss. 6d. per stone, for both of them;
an offer which has been declined. The four beasts have
been fed entirely on oil-cake, turnips, tares, hay, meal, and
potatoes. Some Bedfordshire and Suffolk pigs, bred by his
Royal Highness at the dairy, in the Home-park, Windsor,
will also be exhibited in Baker-street.

with Earl Grey. Sir De Lacy Evans had also an interview
with the Noble Lord.
Mr: John Wood, Chairman of the Excise, had an
interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday,
at his official residence in Downing-street. Major Brand-
reth bad also an interview with the Right Hon. Gentleman
yesterday.
Despatches were sent off yesterday evening from
the Colonial-office for the Governor of the Falkland Islands.
Lord and Lady John Russell returned to thei t
r re-
sidence in Chesham-place yesterday afternoon, from a viai
to the Duke of Norfolk, at Arundel Castle, Sussex.
REPEAL OF TEE TEA DUTIES.—The
Mercury of yesterdaT. sari that deputations fro
them
Teathe
various meetings 117...0 in Liverpool, respecting
Duties, left ;or London yesterday evening. Lord John
Russell has appointed to meet them, and also deputations
from Manchester, Glasgow, Dublin, Leith, and other im-
portant towns, at one o'clock to-clay, in Downing-street.
Lord J. Russell expressly requested that the number of
deputies from each aisociation might be limited to three.
OFFICE OF ORDNANCE, Dec. I.
G,rpe of Royal Engineets—See Lieut. C. S. Akers to be ate. lieut.,
vice Luyken, oc.

Lirerpo9l

HEALTH OF TOWNS ASSOCIATION.
A meeting of this association was held yesterday
at the rooms of the Statistical Society, St. James's-square,
to receive a report from the deputation appointed to Wait on
Sir G. Grey, to decide on the measures to be adopted to fur-
ther the general objects of the associatirn, and especially to
secure for the metropolis a sound sanitary measure. The
objects of the association me—
t. To diffuse among the people the valuable information elicited by
recent inquiries, and the advancement of science, as to the physical
and moral evils that result from the present defective sewerage,
drainage,%upply of water, air, and light, and construction of dwelling
houses. 2. To correct misconception as to the expense of the requi-
site measures, and to remove groundless apprehension as to interfe-
rence with existing pecuniary interests. 3. To devise and to endea-
vour to obtain some better means than at present exist, for the inves-
tigation of the causes of mortality in any locality, and for the more
effectual protection of the public by the prompt removal of those
noxious causes which are proved to be removable. 4. To facilitate
legislative enactments and their application, by the diffusion of sani-
tary information bearing on the several points. And 5. To encourage
the establishment of branch or auxiliary associations, not merely with
a view to the local benefit that must thence arise, but also as the
means of obtaining a larger amount of funds, and a more extended

field of WiCtuiness.-
Lord ASHLEY, on taking the chair, informed the meetinj,
that the deputation,
viedh he was the head, had been
most favourably rece by Sir G. Grey and Lord idor-
peth. Having stated their objects, Sir G. Grey assured
them in reply, although he did not wish to bind himself to
any definite details, that the government bad taken the
matter into their serious consideration, and had prepared a
bill which would he laid upon the table of the house, im-
mediately after the meeting of parliament. The right
hon. hart. added, moreover, that the metropolis would be
included in whatever legislative measure might be proposed.
(Rear.) Now, although he (Lord Ashley) was quite sure
that the Fovernment were mast willing and perfectly sincere
in their intention to introduce a measure upon the subject,
yet seeing that they were likely to meet with great ob-
struction in different parts of the country, it was most
essential that they should be fortified before parliament,
with an expression of public sympathy and support. He
therefore called upon the members of that association and
others, to endeavour to give a general circulation to those
reports which contained accounts of the condition of the
working classes, in order that the real feeling of the country
might be made known to parliament, on this important
subject, through the medium of petitions. (Hear.) lie
would call in particular upon medical soon, and the
ministers of religion of all persuasions, to lend their
assistance to the association. They, by the nature
of their professions, were better acquainted than
any other class of men in the community with
the real state of this great moral and physical ques-
tion ; and he sincerely hoped they would stir up all
these over whom they could ex, rase any influence, to make
known to the government and to parliament the real feeling
of the public in reference to what might be considered almost
the greatest of the social questions of the day. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. li. Riot reiterated the sentiments expressed by his
lordship, and suggested, in order the more effectually to carry
them into effect, that a committee might be appointed which
should make itself acquainted with the names and residences
of the ministers of the different parishes, and also of those of
many medical men, so as to bring the question more directly
and forcibly under their consideration, and obtain from them
information which might be useful in advancing the question
in parliament; or at lmst of arousing the attention of their
respective districts to the subject. They might also obtain
the co-operation of boards of guardians; but their first step
ought, in his opinion, to be, to put themselves in communi-
cation with the ministers of religion and of health. They
had opposed to them the several sewage companies; but
with such an overpowering mass of evidence in favour of a
sanitary measure, and the good that was sure to result from
it, with also the feeling of the country in their favour, of
which he had no doubt, he thought they might fully calcu-
late upon seeing their exertions brought to a successful issue.
(Hear, bear.) He had great pleasure in moving—
That this meeting pledges itself to use every exertion to enable the
inhabitants of the metropolis to give expression to the sentiments
which they arc believed to entertain in favour of a sound sanitary

measure.
The Rev. Mr. LUSIONAN, in seconding the resolution,
expressed his great satisfaction at hearing that the metro-
polis would be included in any government measure. What
he considered a great error in Lord Lincoln's bill would thus
be rectified, and the metropolis saved from the disgrace of
having crowds of its inhabitants in a state of spiritual,
arising out of a state of moral degradation. (Hear.) The
resolution having been agreed to, the lion. F. Byug
moved—
That it Is expedient at the present tine to extend and redouble
the efforts of the association, in diffusing nformation on sanitary
measures, especially among the inhabitants of the metropolis ; and
that with this view, the sub-committee be requested to draw tip some
short and cheap summaries of the winding evils and their remedies,
to be circulated as extensively as possible in every part of London,
and among every class of its inhabitants.
lie quite approved of the idea of collecting information
from particular districts or parishes. He had done so in the
parish they were then assembled in, and he considered it
of importance that the results should be publicly made
known, in the hope that those legislators, and other re•
spomible parties resident within it, would be induced to
assist in the passing of a general measure, containing a
remedy for such a state of things as this in one of the
richest parts of the metropolis, viz., that in 4,000 tenements
there were no less than 30,000 occupants. (Hear.)
Mr. TOOKE, F.R.S. having seconded the resolution, it
was unanimously adopted.
Mr. R. CLUTTERBUCK moved—
That as those extended efforts will entail apna the association in-
creased expense, the su.....oommittee be authorised to organise a plan
by which to raise the necessary funds.
Dr. LYNCH, in seconding the resolution, ventured to hope
that the " necessary funds" would be very soon forthcoming,
as those who had it in their power to supply them must
know and feel that they were only giving to the poor, and
contributing to leave their fellow-creatures better than
they found them. indeed, wherever he went of late, he
perceived that sanitary reform was the order of the day;
and the evidence in favour of such a measure was so incon-
trovertible, that if public attention were once fully directed
to it, it would doubtless be the means of enlisting every
man of proper feeling in the cause. (Hear.) When he
and a few others first began to give an account of
their visits to the homes of the poor in the ward of Far-
ringdon Without, containing 33,000 inhabitants, the de-
scriptions were denounced as gross exaggerations, and
the offspring of a diseased fancy. He sail, Let them
be tested. They were so, and those who disbelieved
them at first, openly declared then, that no language
could adequately pourtray the appalling extent of disease and
pestilence which existed within the ward, and which was
clearly traceable to overcrowded buildings and those other
evils which it was the object of that association to remove.
(Hear, hear.) At a recent wardmote they drew up an epi-
tome of the evils of the locality, quoting largely from the
evidence of Dr. S. Smith and others to whom the country
was deeply indebted, to show the truth of their statements.
It was a document of about twenty pages, and was not only
agreed to unanimously, but the aldermen of the ward vied
with each other as to which should pay the expense of circu-
lating it. (Hear, hear.) They showed the corporation that
measures for preserving the public health were paramount
to the forming of new streets, and the corporation had ac-
cordingly called upon the Health of Towns Association
through him, to submit to them a well-digested plan of re-
form, declaring that if they could be satisfied of its feasibi-
lity they would be ready to expend 100,0001. in im-
proving the abodes of the poor of the metropolis. (Hear.)
The Rev. E. Buck, Rector of Rotherhithe, moved, and
Dr. Guy seconded, a vote of thanks to the noble lord in the
chair, whose presence they regarded as an omen of success.
—His lordship returned thanks, and, after an intimation
from Mr. Fletcher, that the transactions of the statistical
society contained much valuable information connected with
the subjects of education and crime, and worthy of being
circulated, and from Dr. Smith, that he bad received a letter
from Mr. Slaney, one of her Majesty's commissioners, saying
that he was preparing a statement, to show to the great and
wealthy how much the working classes were neglected, with
the view of furthering the cause in which they were engaged,
„ie I the meeting separated.
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