Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1853-10-05


full. u proportion TO IFS population, it contains more
fine lokiae houses than London.-But. oh the dwell
lings ~ me wrechedness of its poor How fierce
ly ibef Nrrast with the abodes and luxury of the
rich sahe Worst of it is that SO wide is the
guilt NV eparaes the two classes, and 30 long has
il endured, that the poor to be sunk below the
point OF serepect and the rich to be exalted above
the point OF sympathy Millions are laid out upon
the palaces OF roaty, barracks and hospitals for
soldiers; on catedras and conveniences for the
Church; on monuments and memorials of men illus
trious from their deds of mere position Then there
are noble hospitals md asyums universities and char
ty Schools and casellaed prisons looking like grand
and gloomy old castes. And in this way have Pride
and Taste, Loyalty and Patriotism Religion, Philan-
thropy and Justice, nared gorgeous specimens of ar
chitecture, highly ornamental, and designed TO graft
fly the tastes and vans of the ruling classes or to re-
lieve some of the mon papabe and obsrusive of the
lower-but as geneal fact it is true that the mas
ses of the poor in her ordinary are still unpro-
yded for, and almost ucared for. They are unclean,
uneducaed, and addicted to british pleasures.
That which particrlrly distinguishes the poor of
the old world from thoe of country is their filth
and want of seli-respee. In Glasgow, the Clover
class" bare-headed AID bare-looted, their children
tumblng about the STREETS, look if water had new
come near them; tler houses reek with all sorts
of odors. Scarcely any appear ambitious to appear
well themselves, t. dress their children decently
And yet is seasOn of great prosperity, am told,
among tie operatives-they are getting plenty of work
and gom wages.
NeS~Aumay he that there is radical remedy for
this g. Except in a total change Of the relations of
capital plabor; but certainly, even under the pres
ent system great deal might be done in the way of
melioraton. What the poor want specially in the
cities of he Old World are temperance education, and
comfortable houses. SO long the example of the
higher classes and the policy of Government encour
age drinking, and give sanction to ale-houses, gin
shops, and whiskey stores so long as the intolerance
of established church of priestcran and the pet
ty jeaonses of dissenters prevent the institution of
comnoi schools for the secular education of the chill
dren of the whole community; so long as capitalists
or owners of houses are permitted to build or keep
standing tenemens for the poor without any provision
for their comfort real wants. so long must they re-
main as hey are.
The importance of clean, wholesome habitations
for the people cannot be too much insisted upon
Lodge family in house not fit for pig-pen, and
how you expect the tenants respect themselves
With what charm Of home can they invest it !!
What is there to domestcate the wife, to hasten the
footsteps of the weary husband homewards, to keep
the children from wallowing in the gutter! His earn
ings should be enough TO make them comfortable in a
decent house, but they are not enough to command
such houses the rich live in, and decent dwellings
for The poor are not to be found Capital would make
- ~ - dwellings whereas it makes
ten per cent. the petty investment Il has NIUE n
the Internal novels II compels them now to live in.
The scheme of model lodging houses, or homes, as
they should be called for the poor is full of promise
visited the largest of these in London. 1t is neat
substantial structure, five stories high surrounded
with large yard which is carefully kept clean and
dry. 1t is divided into several sections with spiral
stone starways leading TO them, and these subdi-
vded in each story into suits of two three rooms
pantry sculery, hydrant, water closet, dust shaft
drain, &C., being connected with each suit in one
room OF which is complete range, which, consul
ming but little fuel, and taking up merely the space
Of ordinary fireplace, answer for warming, cook
ing, and all purposes for which fire is needed. Ven
tlation is eileciuay secured, and complete is the
provision for dsposng of The waste matter, without
trouble offence, that there need be carrying
of anything but supplies the highest rooms much tC
the surprise of persons who had prejudged the case
are always most sought for and bear the highest rent
on of the pure air, open prospect and perfect
quiet. In suit of rooms thus amply furnished with
light fire, water, ventilation and drainage, family
of ordinary size NAV live in cleanliness, comfort anC
retirement--n word, establish home. The
building contains apartments enough for one hundred
and twenty five families, and well are their advan
tages understood that, at the time was there, only
three rooms were uaoccupied. Nothing could exceed
the order and quiet there was scarcely as much bus
tie as YOU may see ia still English hotel. Connec
ted with the establishment washrooms, and yar'
for drying clothes and all that is needed to make
e Had
school and bathing house for the benefit of the
ident families The best suit of rooms is put at 81,
shngs week, Q,50,) a sum not more than tina
paid for the vanoas dwellings SO common amonI
the poor.
This institution was built by company organize
under charter which limits the dividends among tn
stockholders to five per cent, and provides that what
ever profits shall accrue beyond shall be appropriate
to enIarging and improving the accommodations. Wha
is there 10 prevent such institutions from becoming
common as the EVIL of poverty, but the selfshuess
capital There ire rich men enough in every cit
to provide under such charters, comfortable tenement
for all its poor, al reasonable rents, without damagin
their incomes But wealth. too often intent upon sell
sh enjoyment or inordnate gain, is reckless of tn
blasting mdew of poverty. If specuator can max
twice as much by packing dozen families in hous
fit neither for nor BEAST he could by erectin
neat dwellings, in which they could live with cleani
ness and comfort, what does he care He has sacr
coed his conscience on the altar of Mammon; VIII
should he not sacrifice on the altar the comfort
the character the health, the very fe-blood Of tn
defenceless poor! q. b.
THE HIDpEN LIFE.-Among the workings Of th
hidden life within us which we may experience bu
cannot explain is there anything more remarkable tina
those mysterious moral influences constantly exercised
either for attraction repulsion, by one human beln
over anotherl In the simplest, as in the most in