Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-04-05

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Much however, remains to be done in London
with relation to sanitary matters, particularly
CARDS sewerage, plentiful supply of good water,
due ventilation of crowded locations, and regula-
tions against too many persons nhabiting the same
apartments. This latter item is evidently in state
of progress. In 1901 the number of individuals to
house was 5.67, in lS4l it had fallen to 5.44;
and the census which will be taken this year will,
we have no doubt, show further diminution.
We must not close this selfgratulatory survey Of
our advancement without saying word or two about
the progress of arts and sciences and the higher
elements Of nations glory and peoples happi-
ness. Previous to the eighteenth century there was
only one learned society in London-the Royal So
|ciety-chartered in 1862. During the eighteenth
century four others were established-the Society
of Antiquares the Society of Arts, the Medical So
ciety, and the Linnaan Society. Between 1900
and 1851 thirty societies for the promotion Of DIFF
ferent subjects connected with literature, science,
and the fine arts, have been incorporated in the me-
tropolis. In 1900 the only provincial society in
the kingdom was the Literary and Philosophical
Society of Manchester; twenty-five provincial So
eiehes of importance have been since established.
In Scotland six metropolitan and eight provincial
societies, and in Ireland sixteen leading societies,
have been established since 1900.
That wealth has been accumulated during the
last fifty years faster than population has increased
that it has sought investments, not merely in un-
dertakings promising profit but also to considera
BILE extent in works OF science or humanity bring
ing their own peculiar reward, and that it has dis
played itself in the substantial form of metropolitan
and provincial improvement, we hold to be fair
inference from the facts and figures which we have
adduced. In almost every seaport docks have been
constructed or enlarged the coast is becoming
studded with forts new towns have come into ex-
istence; and public buildings, rivalling the best
structures of the metropolis have been erected IN
our busy seats of manufacture and commerce. Int the
smaller provincials towns literary institutions and
mechanics institutes museums and Libraries, schools
and churches vndicate the claims of the country to
share with the capital in charitable impulses and
in zeal for education and the spread of religion.
AT the same time we fatter ourselves that we per-
ceive many signs of improvement in the tastes and
habits of men Of wealth and station. A check has
been given 10 lavish profusion riches earned in
trade are now more nationally expended, and their
possessors directed by much sounder feeling, than
at any former period Of our history. Whilst the
habits and the tastes of the higher and middle orders
have been, we think, materially improved, we have
reason to beevethat the artisans in large towns
and the laborers in our. rural districts are making
slow but sure advances towards that civilization oi
which even the humblest and poorest are suscep-
tible.
The Economist thus sums up the melancholy
posture Of English affairs at the commencement oi
the late half century: The liberty of the subject
was at its lowest ebb freedom of discussion and
writing always in fear and frequently in jeopardy
religious rights trampled under foot; Catholics,
slaves not citizens; Dissenters, still disabled and
despised. Parliament was unreformed public
/ jobbing fagrant and shameless; gentlemen drank
: bottle where they now drink glass, and mea-
sured their capacity by their cups, and the tenn
| perance medal was thing undreamed Of Final
y the people in those days were little thought Of
where they are now the main topic of discourse
and craftsmanship. Steamboats, were unknown,
and voyage TO America occupied eight weeks in
stead Of ten days."
Pardon this long survey Of what fifty years have
done for Great Britain. We think the ball is still
rolling onwards, and that the impetus which il has
received will cause the progress which the " fast
anchored isle" will make during the second half of
the nineteenth century to exceed that which she
has accomplished in the first Other pens than
ours, however, will make the survey of the next
fifty years, and to us remains only the wish that
such survey may in every respect be favorable to
all the best interests of Great Britain in particular,
and also to the universal progress of mankind.
We are anxious for the details Of your census,
and expect from it developments which will fill our
sower-mOving communities with surprise. Be
they what they may, they will be hailed SO far as
they denote the real advancement Of your great re-
public with the sincerest satisfaction and pleasure
by the great mass Of The British people.