mischief,
and will be of some use. This is not a simple matter like ventilation;
and what is proposed involves large undertakings. Still it is of immense
and growing importance, and should be resolutely begun at once, seeing
that every day adds to the difficulty which will have to be overcome.

3. SUPPLY OF WATER.

This is an essential part of any large system of sanitary improvement,
and one that does not present very great difficulty. The principal facts
which I collect from the Report are, that the expense of transmission is
inconsiderable, and consequently that we may have water from a distant
source; that the plan of constant supply seems to be the best; that this
constant supply, under a high pressure, could be thrown over the highest
buildings in case of fire, that it could be used for baths, public
fountains, and watering and cleansing streets; that it could be supplied
at 1_d._ or 1.5_d._ a week to the houses of the poor, and for this that
they might have any quantity they chose to take. At present the labour
of bringing water entirely prevents cleanliness in many of the more
squalid parts of the town: and the advantage of a constant and unlimited
supply would be almost incalculable. There appears to be some difficulty
in applying the principle of competition to the supply of water; for the
multiplication of water companies has in some instances only produced
mischief to the public. I would suggest to the political economist
whether there may not be some spheres too limited for competition. But
these are questions which I cannot afford at present to dwell upon.

4. BUILDING OF HOUSES.

In considering this branch of the subject, the first thing that occurs is
the absolute necessity of getting sufficient space to build upon. Other
improvements may follow; but almost all of them will be defective, if
this primary requisite be wanting. Hence it is of such importance to
combat the notion that people must live near their work. It is a great
convenience, no doubt. But the question is not of living near their
work, but of dying, or being perpetually ill, near it. Mr. Holland has
made a calculation from which it appears, that in some parts of the town
of Chorlton-upon-Medlock, in a family of five individuals, "there will be
on the average about 50 days a year more sickness _due to the insalubrity
of the dwellings_." To avoid this additional illness, it is surely worth
while for working men to l