The Express.
London, England, 1861-04-05 00:00:00

DWELLINGS OF THE POOR.

On Wednesday a meeting was held in the Me-
fluid Hall, Nottingham, for the object of establishing •
society for improving the dwellings of the poor in the town
and neighbourhood of Nottingham.
The Right Hon. the SPEAKER presided. He said that a
short time ago they were engaged in that room in adopting
measures for the defence of their homes (alluding to the
Rifle Association). The object of the present meeting was
to make these homes better worth defending. (Applause.)
He had been asked to preside over that meeting, and he felt
that the object of it could not be exceeded in importance.
He knew of no subject of greater importance than that of
providing the labouring classes with suitable and decent
dwellings. All attempts towards the promotion of educa-
tion were in a manner thwarted, if when a child who has
been brought up in the habits of propriety and decency rr
turns to a house where habits of impropriety and indecency
are practised. The question which they had met together
to discuss was, therefore, a very important one. At the
lame time he ventured to say to those who set that meeting
on foot that he did not see his way to • successful result
through the means of • society. In the first place, he un-
derstood it was proposed to extend the operations of the
society to the country and rural districts as well as the town
of Nottingham. That appeared to him a matter of great
difficulty. In his opinion it was the duty of the landed
proprietors to see that the dwellings of those who reside on
their estates were suitable and becoming for the inmates.
However, it was not necessary to enter into that part
of the subject, because he understood the proposal
which would be made that day was of • more
limited character, the operations of the society being simply
intended to apply to the town of Nottingham and its vicinitr.
He was not so well acquainted with building operations in
towns as he was with those of rural districts, and having
expressed his sense of the great importance of the object.,
he should request some of those gentlemen who had sot the
meeting on foot to address such observations to them as
they might think fit. Many who were then present, he
bad no doubt, would assist in putting such views before the
public u might be necessary to attain the objects which the
promoters of the meeting bad in view. (Cheers.)
lk. L. MARSH sketched the outline of the society's op.-
rations. In every case where bad cottage property at present
exists we should endeavourto obtain possession of it either by
purchasing it or leasing it, and, if it was capable of improve-
ment, expend upon it the requisite amount of capital to
reader it fit for habitation if it was incapable of
such improvement, it would be pulled down and
rebuilt. The erection of suitable cottages upon ap-
proved sites -*where such additional accommodation is
required would form the second feature in the society's
operations. Model lodging-houses for families too poor to
occupy an independent house, also lodging-houses for single
men and single women, in populous districts, would form
subjects for the consideration of the managers of the society,
the object being in every case to supply the best possible
accommodation at the smallest possible coat to the tenant.
Alderman VICKERS moved: "That • committee be ap-
pointed for forming a society under the Limited Liability
Act for improving the dwellings of the poor in and around
Nottingham."
Mr. MARXISTS seconded the resolution, which was carried.

flhOres to the amount of 25W. were 'taken in the room,
and a sum of more than 121. was subscribed towards the
preliminary working exposer.

WILIA AND BEQUESTS.

The will of the Right Hon. and Roy. Francis
North, Earl of Guilford, late of Waldershare Park, Kent,
and of Grosvenor-street, St. George's, Hanover-square, was

proved in the principal registry on the 211th of last month
by his relict, the Countess of Guilford, and the Right Hon.
Lord Willingham, the nephew, the executors. The per.
penalty was sworn under 200,0001. The will is dated the
Bth of June, 1857, and a codicil in 1860. These documents
are somewhat voluminous. The late earl died possessed of
• large fortune, both real and personal, which he has
bequeathed entirely amongst the members of his family.
To his relict, who possesses considerable funded property,
he leaves an immediate legacy of 300!., together with his
town residence, furniture, carriages, and other effects. To
his grandson, now Earl of Guilford, and who succeeds
to the family estates, he has left the principal
part of his property, having appointed him residuary
legatee. To his son, the Right Hon. Frederick North,
he bequeaths the sum of 16,000!., and the sum of 10,000!.
to each of his other children. The late earl directs that the
sum of 750001. shall form an accumulating fund for the
period of 21 years, for the benefit of the heir to the title
and estates. All letters and papers are directed to be in.
sleeted and perused by the testator's widow only, and re-
tained or destroyed at her discretion. This nobleman, who
passed nearly the whole of his life in various clerical lune.
tines, attained to the great age of fa
The will of the Hon. Lady Matilda Butler, of Grosvenor-
street, Grosvenomaquare, who died on the 16th of last
month, was proved in the London court on the 27th the
woe month by the Dowager Countess of Glengall, the
mother and sole executrix. The personalty was sworn
under 12,0001. Lady Butler is the daughter of the late Earl
of Gletigall, and resided with the Dowager Countess. Her
ladyship has bequeathedall herproperty, except snowman
rxrto her mother. Therm legacies, which do not exceed
, are given in various amounts to her ladyship's per.
Bernal friends and others. Lady Butler also request; her
mother to disburse the sum of 1001., aoconling to her dis-
cretion, amongst several persons who had teen the recipient,
of the testatrix's benevolence. The will is exceediugl7
brief, and was only executed the day prior to Lady Butler I
decease. Her ladyship was unmarried, and died at the
premature age of twentpfive.
The will of the Venerable Archdeacon W. Gunnies,
D.C.L., Archdeacon of Bath, Prebeodary of Wells, Rand
Dean and Vicar of Buckland Newton with Plush, in Donets
and
salDrZult B. Merriman,illLsOndonig
theE 11. n
73rd laste
archdeacon posses month by his relict,
a
both real and personal property, which ho has bequeathed,
with the exception of • few legacies, entirely smoupt
his family. He bequeaths to his relict a life interest
in his entire property, which, upon her decease, is to de•
volve to their two daughters, and to them he also
leaves his presentation plate, on the decease of his widow,
with the exception of a poetic. wbich he lee," to
,a
nephew. There is • legacy of 500/. between less
nieces, the daughters of his late brother, as well as a legal
to his executor, sad several besiuesta to his eenaoto•
The will of William Science, Esq., of Lower Seyolosm
street, Portman-square, F.R.S., has been proved in he
Majesty's Court of Probate in Loudon by his executors.
The personal property was sworn under 100,(00/ Mt"
Spore was joint author with the late Rev. Mr. Kirby`
of that popular work known as an " intoxlitctien to
Entomology - err, !Dements of the Natural Hinter.- 01
• lasecta," of. which work Mr. Silence published s ohs*
edition shortly before his death, to hiing it (to use his OW•
words) within reach of all desirous of becoming aourier,
with the natural history of Maeda, suit thus Laura; o°'
more effectually the object of the authors that 4 lotto'
i
I during others to a 'notch id *deuce which they food so
delightful —llleateetrd Lumlva Y,era, April 6.