The Express.
London, England, 1851-03-27 00:00:00

DWELLINGS OF THE LONDON POOR.

(Prom the D sill News.)

AMONG the varied objects of surpassing interest
that will shortly engage the attention of our own
public and of assembled nations, not the Icast inter-
esting will be the " model lodging-house" now
rapidly in progress of construction under the imme-
diate auspices of Prince ALBERT. All thevaricd im-
provements which the experience of the past few
years has suggested in edifices of the kind will be
therein displayed, together with many novel appli-
ances conducive to the comforts of these lowly tene-
ments.
The experiments for improving the dwellings of
the poor, tried in a variety of localities, and in many
instances under most adverse circumstances, have
been almost uniformly successful. It is not therefore
too much to hope that yet more extended exertions
may be made in the cause of suffering humanity. The
incredible amount of miscry,of squaror, and of proffi•
gacyyetrife in every quarter of the capital renders it
incumbent upon every member of the community to
promote to the utmost of his ability this important
end.
In the dark purlieus of wen the wealthiest pa-
rishes there are nocturnal receptacles for the chil-
dren of misery, the Nun contemplation of which
would appal even a casual spectator. Front natural
causes and the daily advent of fresh streams from
the country, the accumulating tide of pollution, and
sin is ever on the increase, its only outlets being the
portals of the gaol, the hold of the convict-ship, or
the festering precincts of the charnel-house. The
youthful stranger arriving in quest of honest em-
ployment, buoyant in spirit, and animated by Mtge-
rity of purpose, soon loses all that can render life
estimable in the baneful atmosphere of these pesti-
lent dens. Little chance is there of escape from

amid such scenes as must be Cncoun-

tered in the ordinary lodging-houses.
In one apartment, so low, so foul, and close, that
the miserable rushlight seems scarcely able to con-
tend with the dank vapours through which it dimly
peen, sixteen beds may be counted, containing
in the aggregate some two-and-forty human beings
of both Ruses ! None of them endowed with the
power which the Fair .Rosamond or Lord llerbert
$f ehrrbury possessed of exhaling aromatic odours.
'flee denizens of such sad abodes comprise those
whose pernicious avocations occupy much of the
attention of the police, occasionally intermingled
with a small minority of the humblest artisan*. It
were no easy matter concisely to depict the condition
or appearance of the edifices, wherein these unfor-
tunate creatures herd, for nothing can exceed their
filthy and cadaverous aspect. But it is not diffi-
cult to form some faint idea of the depravity thus en-
gendered and perpetuated.
In the opulent district pertaining to St. George's,
Hanover-square, 1,40 families of the labouring
class were recently found to ?assess, for residence,
2,174 rooms and 2,510 beds; 929 entire families
existed in single rooms, while seven dwellings were
destitute of the rudest apology for a couch. On
learning facts like these, we cease to wonder at the
eagerness so frequently manifested to exchange the
horrors of such a home for the less hideous seclusion
of a prison.
The " Society for Improving the Condition of the
Labouring Classes" have, within the last few years,
happily effected much to remedy these crying evils.
They have, by the most unremitting exertions, and
aided only by voluntary subscriptions, accomplished
the most beneficial results. Under their direction
comparatively comfortable buildings have been pro-
vided, in various parts of the town, for the reception
of the houseless poor. These lodgings remove the
poor but industrious mechanic from immediate con-
tact with the " tramp," whose means of subsistence
are more questionable and precarious. The sexes
are separated, and a degree of privacy is attained,
calculated to give rise to feelings of decency and self-
respect. Wise and salutary rules regulate these
communities, and, strangely compounded though
they be, their internal harmony is rarely disturbed.
In the crowded neighbourhood of Bagnigge-wells,
in Charles-street, Drury-lane, in George-street, St.
Giles'e, in Hatton-garden. as well as in other locali-
ties, model lodging-houses have been established,
and their internal economy can readily be studied by
all who take sufficient interest in the important
subject. The one in George-street can accommodate
104 inmates, who each enjoy the advantage of sepa-
rate dormitories,—a commodious kitchen, common to
all, a waahhouse, bath, and a copious supply of
water for all purposes. It should be recorded that
the gas and water companies charge little more than
the actual cost of the commodity they severally sup-
ply. In a sanitary point of view there can be no
question of the superiority of this establishment over
the loathsome lodging-houses around. During the
prevalence of a recent epidemic, the latter abodes
contributed largely, as might have been anticipated.
to the long list of victims, while in the " model"
house, scarcely one case of illness was to be found.
We have not space to dilate upon the pressing
urgency of providing improved accommodation for
the necessitous stranger, or the friendless visitors to
the metropolis. It is, however, obvious that in a
few weeks the exigency will be felt severely by our
own poor. if no timely preparation be made for the
accommodation of the countless thousands who will
require at least temporary shelter. The extent of the
demand will naturally enhance the rent oven of the
meanest lodging. In Pimlico, at Kensington, and at
Westminster, preparations to a certain extent have
been made ; they should be in progress in other
localities.
Whether in furtherance of this temporary pur-
pose, or for the gradual promotion of the welfare
and comfort of the humbler classes, we cannot but
express gratitude for Lord MILLET'S exertions gene-
rally in their behalf. The prolonged debate alone
prevented his lordship bringing the subject before
parliament.
It may be well to note here, for the encourage-
ment of those who may bo disposed to take up the
matter upon mere speculative grounds, that these
undertakings, commercially considered, may be
deemed more than ordinarily lucrative. The society
to which we have alluded reserve the whole of their
profits for the purpose of more widely, extending
their system. But the capital thus employed would
produce for those who arc not actuated solely by cha-
ritable motives a very remunerative return.
It is an admitted fact that three-fourths of the
crime committed in England originates in London
alone. Nothing can tend more strongly to dissemi-
nate the principles of vice in their vilest form than
tho degrading practices everywhere in vogue in the
old over-crowded lodging houses. Until they are
abolished or altogether reformed, any attempt at
educating the masses compelled nightly to take
refuge in them, must be nugatory and delusive.

A SHIP oN Film.— The steam-packet Cambria,
when on her passage from Kingston on Saturday morning,
and when nearing the South Stack Light at the entrance to
the bay of Holyhead, came in view of a vessel, schooner-
rigged, at a considerable distance off, apparently rounding
the Sherries. The attention of the Captain and crew of the
Cambria was called to the appearance of the ousel, which
was evidently on tire. The Cambria having ran into Holy-
head harbour, and landed her passengers, put to see again
at once, having on board the marine superintendent (railway
company), who accompanied the Cambna's commander, Capt.
Hirste, to the scene of the disaster. On approaching the
burning vessel they found her taken in tow by another vessel.
Sail had also been got upon her with a view of making the
harbour. The commander of the Cambria hailed her and
tendered his assistance. gratuitously, but the master of the
schooner refined the aid thus offered, in the most
rtio als refinedterms, although the fire seemed rapidly gaining
ground, and, as it was afterwards ascertained, the lives of
all on board the schooner at the time were in fearful peril.
Her name was found to be the Don Juan, of about 300 tons
burden, bound from Liverpool to Newfoundland, with a
largo of salt. and an additional freight of 25 casks of gun-
powder. The fire appeasing to increase, it was found
necessary to beech the vessel as soon as possible. She was
then scuttled, and her cargo submerged. She now lies in
this condition—burnt down to the water's edge, at the
mouth of the harbour.—Freemon's Journal.