Page:Dwellings of working-people in London.djvu/27

 older date at Hastings (1857) has done similar work there under the guidance of the same Secretary.

I have seen a large number of these dwellings which have been improved, but I am aware that one cannot fairly judge of the work that these Associations have accomplished unless one had seen these places before they were improved. (Hear, hear.) I am afraid that a great many of the London improved dwellings, after all that has been done, are in an unsatisfactory condition. But others have been converted into fit dwellings for working men and their families; for example, in some cases chambers which were formerly occupied by barristers and persons of the higher classes, and which have been allowed to fall into a state of dilapidation, whilst occupied by a poorer class, have been repaired and drained, and again put into a fair sanitary condition.

This is some of the good work that has been done by these associations. But that good work ought to be extended. It has been effected for the most part by benevolent societies; and, although I do not ask the Government itself to undertake the repair and improvement of such better dwellings, I appeal to hon. members and to the public to give to this movement the aid and encouragement it requires and deserves. (Hear, hear.) Such an Act as that passed for Glasgow would enable us to deal with the worst parts of London, and with dwellings that are unimproveable—and these I fear constitute the larger class—but it would leave much to be done in those parts of London which are capable of being improved. (Hear, hear.)

I must next speak of the work which is being done—in building improved habitations—by various Societies and Companies, some of a philanthropic character, others half philanthropic and half commercial, some of a purely commercial character, many of which were set on foot and are carried on by private individuals who have shown an example for others to follow.

The oldest Association that attempted the erection of model dwelling-houses was the Metropolitan Association, formed in 1841 for improving the dwellings of the industrious classes. I have seen many of the dwellings of this Association, which provides already for about 4,000 inhabitants, and which, when its Farringdon Road buildings are complete, will have 1,049 tenements or separate dwellings, of which only 20 are in old converted buildings. The dwellings of this Association are most excellent models to be followed by those individuals who may avail themselves of the sites which we