The Sun.
London, England, 1868-12-25 00:00:00

THE PEABODY BUILDINGS.

The striking contrast presented by the Peabody buildings
in Shadwell to the miserable tenements by which they are
surrounded forms the subject of a graphic description in the
Daily Telegraph. It is difficult for the dweller in more
favoured localities to form any idea of the miserable
locality in which Peabody-square lies situate, and
which seems to set even the enlivening influences
of Christmas at defiance. The Peabody-square consists
of four largo blocks separated from the main street
by a gateway. There is space for the accommodation
of about 200 families, and until lately the rooms were fully
occupied. The class who inhabit it are above pauperism,
though if a man's average wages amount to more than 30s.
a week he is refused admission. If a working man wishes
to exchange the dirt and wretchedness cf Shadwell courts
and lanes for the cleanliness and decency of Peabody-square,
he gets a letter of recommendation from his employer and
applies with it. For one room he pays 2s. tid. ; for two
rooms, 45.; for three rooms, ss. The tenants are mostly
porters, labourers, carmen, policemen, and a few skilled
artisans. If a tenant, who is known to be industrious anri
respectable, is unable to pay Lis rent, he is treated
with leniency. A month or two's grace is given, and in
some instances arrears of sixteen weeks have been allowed.
But there is another kind of tenant who gets little mercy
and deserves none. They come in expecting to pay no rent
at all, and do not scruple, when asked for it, to say that Mr.
Peabody built the place for the poor. The parochial autho-
rities do not look kindly on the establishment, as the guar-
dians think that the superintendents should take some of
the inmates of the workhouse and keep them free of expense.
This was not Mr. Peabody's design, however. He wished to
assist the industrious poor, who are willing and able to help
themselves—a class which generally profits too little by
public benevolence. His trustees have faithfully fulfilled
his commission; and as the local rates levied on the Shad-
well buildings for the current quarter amount to £lO2 125.,
the whole parish gains by the establishment. Many of the
new comers to the buildings are at first dirty and untidy in
their ways, but the influence of the place and the example of
their neighbours soon tell upon them. The reluctance of
many of the women to take advantage of the dust drops in the
passages or the washhouses fitted up for them, proves however
the difficulties which there are to contend against in assist-
ing this class of persons. The children profit largely by the
cleanliness of the place. Careless and negligent parents see
other children as poor as their own with clean faces and
mended stockings, and soon the common phrase " I don't
like to see my children different from anybody else's," works
a beneficial effect. Strange to say the men of the family
appreciate the advantages of the buildings more than the
women, but the establisment is growing in favour. At first
there was an idea that the residents would be under great
restrictions, whereas they are quite free. They have their
own keys and can come home at any hour they like, Still
with all their advantages there are some points which are
susceptible of improvement. The rents are high for such a
place as Shadwell, and the rooms aro small and sometimes
gloomy. The buildings, too, according to the visitor, are
cold and draughty in construction, and he thinks that in
special cases, such as that of a man he mentions with nine
children who earns ls. a week, a special reduction of
rent might reasonably bo made. Still on the whole the
substantial benefits of Peabody-square far outweigh any
exiting drawbacks, while even those may probably be re-
moved or diminished after a little experience.

THE MANUFACTURE OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS.--
A most intere:Aing and instructive little work, describing briefly
but with great clearness, the rise and progress of watch and
clock makin has just been published by Mr J. W. Benson, of
25, Old Bond-street, 99, Ihrestbourne-grove, and the City Steam.
Factory, 58 and GO, Ludgate-hill. The book, which is profusely
illustrated, gives a full description of the various kinds of watches
and clocks, with their prices, and no one should make a purchase
without visiting the above establishments or consulting this truly
valuable work. By its aid persons residing in any part of the
United Kingdom, India, or the Colonies, are enabled to select for
themselves the watch best adapted for their use, and have it sent
to them with perfect safety. Mr. Benson, who holds the appoint-
ment to the Prince of Wales, sends this pamphlet to any address
on receipt of two postage stamps, and we cannot too litipugly
recommend it to pa, notice of the intending purclaler