The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-29 00:00:00

so that it is doubly incumbent on the Legislature
to make due provision for their education. Mr.
CHADWICK'S address touched upon other points of
interest, and went far to convince his hearers that
the interests of master and workmen were by no
means conflicting, but that what was for the good
of one really tended to the benefit and advantage
of the other.

At the dinner of the Agricultural Association
for West Bucks, the subject of labourers' cottages
was mentioned. This question has, of late, en.
grossed much attention, and deservedly so, for the
well-being of those concerned is intimately con-
nected witti having proper habitations to begin
with, and also in keeping them as clean and re-
spectable as possible. It seems very hard that in
places where the air around is pure, the evil effects
of bad drainage, and the pernicious system of over-
crowding, that so much prevails, should cause as
serious discomfort and injurious effects a 3 in the
most crowded and close precincts of a city.
It is time that some come forward to do
their utmost in checking such a glaring
evil, and by pointing out the means of
remedy confer a great and lasting benefit upon the
community, A letter was read from Mr DISRAELI
regretting his inability to attend, but offering a
prize of five guineas for the possessor of the neatest
and best kept cottage. If this idea can be carried
out it will doubtless prove of great service in the
course of time, and conduce to the furtherance of
the end in view. A spirit of emulation will spring
up, which will be calculated to have the best effect
upon those concerned. Even those who fail will
have had the advantage conferred upon them of
some attempts at neatness, and the habits thus
engendered cannot fail to prove eo great a source
of comfort that in all probability the good work
may take a lasting root in the general
management of the inmates. Proprietors of estate
and landlords cannot do a wiser thing than to
take an active interest in the arrangements and
maintenance of the cottages on their estates. An
indifference on the part of the chief persons in a
place often engenders sloth and idleness on the
side of the inferiors, and gradually a state of
things is brought about:that reflects great disgrace
upon the neighbourhood. It is evident that some
places must be devised for improvement in this
respect, and there will be another benefit conferred
if the practice is made general, of offering prizes
for the best kept cottages. The careless
and negligent landlords will be kept more
up to the mark in the performance of
their duties, for as general attention will be
directed to the management of cottages, any very
serious deficiencies will be found out, and the owner
will be exposed in a manner that he will not like.
The cases that came under notice the other day
concerning the disgraceful state of some dwellings
on the estate of a gentleman,7are, it is to be feared,
by no means isolated ones, and therefore it seems
that some inducements must be held out to further
the good work that all well-wishers to their country
must have at heart, namely, to improve the condi-
tion of the dwellings of the labouring classes. No
community can flourish long where such vital sub-
jects are left in a state that is unsuited for health
ind morals, and any attempt to ameliorate them
should be welcomed.

Cruikshauk's Comic Almanac.