Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1904-11-16
AFRAIDOF BIG CITIES
ENGLAND LONG TRIED TO KEEP DOWN
LONDoN'S POPULATION
Laws Passed That Made It nm onense
q" Live I'm the Metropolis and Proc
iamatfons Issued TO Restrict the
Size and Number of Buildings.

| Laws Passed That Made II nm OGense
q" Live I'm the Metropolis and Proc
iamatfons Issued TO Restrict the
Size and Number OF Buildings.
From the days OF Elizabeth to those
OF Charles III. the various English gov
ernments tried by every means within
their power 20 preserve the kingdom
from the evils" attendant upon a
huge metropolis. The frequent out
breakings Of the plague-afterward
eliminating In the terrible visitation
which carried or over 10000 persons
the fear that with the deluge OF build
Ing the population would be poisoned
by breathing In me anOther's faces"
the incapacity OF the police OF the time
to preserve order and their utter help
lessness in the face OF mob low-these
were among the contributory causes
| which brought about a long series OF
yexations and annoying prohibitions
In 1880 proclamation was issued
prohibiting the erection within three
miles OF the city gates Of any new
houses or tenements upon sites where
no former house had been known 70
have been erected. Later came another
proclamation. by which it was ordered
that only one family should live in
each house. that houses erected within
the past seven years and still inlet
should remain empty. and that all IN
finished buildings on new foundations
should be pulled down.
There would appear to have been
neither order nor system in these vary
ing prOclamatiOns. which were issued
every six or seven years. Thus at one
time buildings were prohibited within
ten miles Of London, at another (as
/ quoted above within three miles. and.
while under Elizabeth unfinished
houses only were required 10 be pulled
down. orders were ISSUED later under
which houses which had been erected
several years were ruthlessly demol-
ished.
Further prOclamations OF the same
period commanded that persons OF
livelihood and means should reside in
their counties and not abide or sojourn
IN the city OF London. 50 that counties
remained unserved." but these seem 10
have been OF no effect until the reign
OF Charles l., when they were renewed
| and definite steps taken 10 enforce
obedience. All persons Of livelihood
and means unconnected with public
Offices We're ordered within forty DAYS
from the date Of the notice TO resort to
/ their several counties and with their
| families continue their residence there.
and they were further warned mot %
put themselves 10 unnecessary charge
in providing themselves TO return i'm
winter 20 the said citieS"-i O.. London
und Westminster Il was the kings
hrm resolution 10 withstand such great
and growing evil"
Even this had little effect upon the
public IN its first issue. and a copiouS
list was prepared Of offenders. iuclul-
Ing great number OF the nobility and
ladies and gentlemen. who were accus-
ell OF living IN London for several
months after the given warming Most
Of these had made q pretense OF quit
ting the city, 20 return again after q
brief absence hoping thus 70 escape
the penalty OF their disobediencc.
Ii came as n bolt from the blue I'm
1885 when Mr.. Palmer, a large land.
holder in Sussex. was brought into the
star chamber and fined Il 600 for dis
obeying the proclamation as 10 livin1
In the country and remaining IN Lon
J don after the prescribed period II,
was a bachelor. and he urged IN his de
Tense that he had never been married
had never been 4 "housekeeper'' and
: had no house fitting for a man OF bis
birth 10 reside in. his own mansion r.
} the country having been burned down
! but his judges were inexorable. anJ
the fine was accompanied by q sever,
/ reprimand for having deserted his ten
ants and neighbors.
! In the same year information wa.
fled against Sir John Sucking. IN,
poet, and many others for the same Of
, Tense, and such was the terror cause
by these prosecutions that on. all side,
folk OF condition and quality were q
be seen preparing for flight into IN,
, country. CurSing the b .rdship Of being
confined TO their country houses and
, leaving town and its pleasures behind
To encourage gentlemen 10 live more
willingly IN the country. says a writer
OF the times, all game fowl. such as
pheasants, partridges, ducks and hare>
We're at certain times forbidden 10 la
dressed or eaten in any inn.
In n proclamation issued by Charles
II. in 1661-onc of the last in this Ill
rection-among the Inconvenience SET
forth as daily growing by the spread
OF new buildings were: The increase
OF the people in such great numbers
as 10 prohibit their proper government
by the wOnted officers. the enhance
ment Of the price Of vitualS. the en-
dangerinG of the health Of the city in
habitants and the damage done {,
the tradeSpeoplC in the bOrouShS 10y
, the migration downward Of the popula
ton.
But il was all Of no avail Nothina
|, could stop the increase Of 'upstar
London" rs it was termed 10y some o.
! the old writer's. and the prediction o.
James |. that England Will itself %,
London. and London England" i faS
. approaching Verihcation What VOul,
! his late majesty say now % ''thoS,
! swarmS of gentry who. through III,
inStigation Of their wives or 10 new
model and fashion their daughters
: neglect their country hospitality an,
cumber the city, a general nuisance {,
the kingdOm:"
Somewhat over u century later. il
1913. Il bill was brought before parlia
ment in which il was proposed 10 pu
n tax OF . shillingS IN the pound loI
, net rents and annual proftSl on ab
! Sentee Irish landlords and this wOul,
appear 10 be the only recorded az
. tempt since 10 penalize abSenteeism fl