Chapter XXIV: Section V: The Regulations with regard to the House for the reception (5)

In what way the mortal remains are to be conveyed to the grave, and there deposited, I do not find any positive rule of law, or of religion, that prescribes. The authority under which the received practices exist, is to be found in our manners, rather than in our laws: they have their origin in natural sentiments of public decency and private affection; they are ratified by common usage and consent; and being attached to a subject of the gravest and most impressive nature, remain unaltered by private caprice and fancy, amidst all the giddy revolutions that are perpetually varying the modes and fashions that belong to the lighter circumstances of human life. That bodies should be carried in a state of naked exposure to the grave, would be a real offence to the living, as well as an apparent indignity to the dead. Some involucra, or coverings, have been deemed necessary in all civilized and Christian countries; but chests or trunks containing the bodies, descending along with them into the grave, and remaining there till their own decay, cannot plead either the same necessity, or the same general use.

* * * * *

The rule of law which says, that a man has a right to be buried in his own church-yard, is to be found, most certainly, in many of our authoritative text writers; but it is not quite so easy to find the rule which gives him the right of burying a large chest or trunk in company with himself. That is no part of his original and absolute right, nor is it necessarily involved in it. That right, strictly taken, is to be returned to his parent earth for dissolution, and to be carried thither in a decent and inoffensive manner. When these purposes are answered, his rights are, perhaps, fully satisfied in the strict sense in which any claim, in the nature of an absolute right, can be deemed to extend.

* * * * *

It has been argued, that the ground once given to the body is appropriated to it for ever; it is literally in mortmain unalienably; it is not only, the _domus ultima_, but the _domus æterna_, of that tenant, who is never to be disturbed, be his condition what it may; the introduction of another body into that lodgment at any time, however distant, is an unwarrantable intrusion. If these positions be true, it certainly follows, that the question of comparative duration sinks into utter insignificance.

In support of them, it seems to be assumed, that the tenant himself is imperishable; for, surely, there can be no inextinguishable title, no perpetuity of possession, belonging to a subject which itself is perishable. But the fact is, that “man” and “for ever” are terms quite incompatible in any state of his existence, dead or living, in this world. The time must come when “_ipsæ periere ruinæ_,” when the posthumous remains must mingle with, and compose a part of, that soil in which they have been deposited. Precious embalmments, and costly monuments may preserve for a long time the remains of those who have filled the more commanding stations of human life; but the common lot of mankind furnishes no such means of conservation. With reference to them, the _domus æterna_ is a mere flourish of rhetoric; the process of nature will speedily resolve them into an intimate mixture with their kindred dust; and their dust will help to furnish a place of repose for other occupants in succession. It is objected, that no precise time can be fixed at which the mortal remains, and the chest which contains them, shall undergo the complete process of dissolution, and it certainly cannot; being dependent upon circumstances that vary, upon difference of soils, and exposures of seasons and climates; but observation can ascertain them sufficiently for practical use. The experience of not many years is required to furnish a sufficient certainty for such a purpose.

Founded on such facts and considerations, the legal doctrine certainly is, and has remained, unaffected; that the common cemetery is not _res unius ætatis_, the property of one generation now departed, but is, likewise, the common property of the living, and of generations yet unborn, and is subject only to temporary appropriations. There exists in the whole a right of succession, which can be lawfully obstructed only in a portion of it, by public authority, that of the ecclesiastical magistrate, who gives occasionally an exclusive title, in such portion, to the succession of some family, or to an individual, who has a fair claim to be favoured by such a distinction; and this, not without a just consideration of its expedience, and a due attention to the objections of those who oppose such an alienation from the common property. Even a bricked grave, granted without such an authority, is an aggression upon the common freehold interests, and carries the pretensions of the dead to an extent that violates the rights of the living.

If this view of the matter be just, all contrivances that, whether intentionally or not, prolong the time of dissolution beyond the period at which the common local understanding and usage have fixed it, is an act of injustice, unless compensated in some way or other. In country parishes, where the population is small, and the cemetery is large, it is a matter less worthy of consideration; more ground can be spared, and less is wanted; but, in populous parishes, in large and crowded cities, the indulgence of an exclusive possession is unavoidably limited; for, unless limited, evils of most formidable magnitude take place. Churchyards cannot be made commensurate to the demands of a large and increasing population; the period of decay and dissolution does not arrive fast enough in the accustomed mode of depositing bodies in the earth, to evacuate the ground for the use of succeeding claimants: new cemeteries must be purchased at an enormous expense to the parish, and to be used at an increased expense to families, and at the inconvenience of their being compelled to resort to very incommodious distances for attending on the offices of interment.

In this very parish three additional burial-grounds are alleged to have been purchased, and to be now nearly filled. This is the progress of things in their ordinary course; and if to this is to be added the general introduction of a new mode of interment, which is to ensure to bodies a much longer possession, the evil will become intolerable, and a comparatively small portion of the dead will shoulder out the living and their posterity. The whole environs of this metropolis will be surrounded with a circumvallation of church-yards, perpetually increasing, by becoming themselves surcharged with bodies, if indeed land-owners can be found who will be willing to divert their ground from the beneficial uses of the living to the barren preservation of the dead, contrary to the humane maxim quoted by Tully from Plato’s Republic:—“Quæ terra fruges ferre, et, ut mater, cibos, suppeditare possit, eam ne quis nobis minuat, _neve vivus neve mortuus_.”

No. 13.

VIEW OF THE EXTENT OF INTRA-MURAL BURIAL GROUND PROVIDED, AS COMPARED
WITH THE QUANTITY REQUIRED FOR THE METROPOLIS, AT THE STANDARD OF
110 PER ACRE.—Vide Report, § 159, § 160, § 161, § 171.

The plan represents the statistical facts and proportions of space
after the mode used by Mr. Sopwith, the engineer. Each square of the
subjoined plate represents an acre. The extent of squares coloured
shows the extent of ground occupied by each religious denomination.
The blank spaces show the extent of deficiency of public ground for
the burial of the population in single graves.
]

BURIAL FEES.—_A Return of the Amount of the Burial Fess received by
the Clergymen of several of the Parishes of the Metropolis was
given in to the Committee of the House of Commons by the Bishop of
London. The following Table gives the same Amount of Fees divided
by the Returns of the Number of Burials, in the Years 1830, 1831,
and 1832, returned from the several Parishes, to an order of the
House of Commons made in the Year 1834._

┌────────────────┬───────┬───────┬───────┬───────┬────────────┐ │ PARISHES. │No. of │No. of │No. of │Average│ Amount of │ │ │Burials│Burials│Burials│of the │Burial Fees │ │ │ in │ in │ in │ three │ in 1838. │ │ │ 1830. │ 1831. │ 1832. │Years. │ │ ├────────────────┼───────┼───────┼───────┼───────┼────────────┤ │ │ │ │ │ │£. _s._ _d._│ │St. James, │ 1,063│ 1,168│ 1,087│ 1,106│ 329 0 0│ │ Westminster │ │ │ │ │ │ │St. Botolph, │ 248│ 300│ 319│ 289│ 36 1 2│ │ Bishopsgate │ │ │ │ │ │ │St. George the │ 158│ 218│ 147│ 174│ 70 12 6│ │ Martyr │ │ │ │ │ │ │St. John, │ 815│ 893│ 984│ 897│ 123 7 0│ │ Westminster │ │ │ │ │ │ │St. George in │ 705│ 681│ 802│ 729│ 101 15 0│ │ the East │ │ │ │ │ │ │St. Bride │ 162│ 223│ 175│ 187│ 51 6 8│ │St. Giles and │ │ │ │ │ │ │ St. George, │ 1,296│ 1,669│ 1,934│ 1,633│ 1,038 4 0│ │ Bloomsbury │ │ │ │ │ │ │St. Dunstan, │ 115│ 113│ 122│ 117│ 39 9 2│ │ Westminster │ │ │ │ │ │ │St. Clement │ 395│ 524│ 494│ 471│ 121 14 9│ │ Danes │ │ │ │ │ │ │Bethnal Green │ 617│ 951│ 1,064│ 877│ 71 4 0│ │St. Botolph, │ 140│ 169│ 160│ 156│ 60 8 4│ │ Aldersgate │ │ │ │ │ │ │St. George, │ 1,224│ 1,389│ 1,389│ 1,334│ 597 17 0│ │ Hanover Sq. │ │ │ │ │ │ │St. Giles, │ 231│ 225│ 307│ 254│ 87 9 6│ │ Cripplegate │ │ │ │ │ │ │St. Andrew, │ 587│ 586│ 847│ 673│ 306 0 1│ │ Holborn │ │ │ │ │ │ │St. Catherine │ 36│ 33│ 40│ 36│ 75 3 6│ │ Cree │ │ │ │ │ │ │St. Olave, Hart │ 22│ 19│ 28│ 23│ 60 8 0│ │ Street │ │ │ │ │ │ │Allhallows │ 50│ 64│ 66│ 60│ 31 9 6│ │ Barking │ │ │ │ │ │ │Total │ 7,864│ 9,224│ 9,965│ 9,016│ 3,202 0 2│ └────────────────┴───────┴───────┴───────┴───────┴────────────┘

┌────────────────┬────────────┬────────────┬─────────────┬────────────┐ │ PARISHES. │ Amount of │ Amount of │ Average │ │ │ │Burial Fees │Burial Fees │Burial Fees, │Average Fee │ │ │ in 1839. │ in 1840. │ 1838–9–40. │per Burial. │ │ │ │ │ │ │ ├────────────────┼────────────┼────────────┼─────────────┼────────────┤ │ │£. _s._ _d._│£. _s._ _d._│£. _s._ _d._ │£. _s._ _d._│ │St. James, │ 298 0 0│ 246 0 0│291 0 0[66]│ 0 5 3│ │ Westminster │ │ │ │ │ │St. Botolph, │ 42 7 2│ 23 9 10│ 33 19 4│ 0 2 3│ │ Bishopsgate │ │ │ │ │ │St. George the │ 59 5 10│ 59 0 8│ 62 19 8│ 0 7 3│ │ Martyr │ │ │ │ │ │St. John, │ 93 19 8│ 105 13 7│ 107 13 5│ 0 2 5│ │ Westminster │ │ │ │ │ │St. George in │ 101 8 6│ 74 8 6│ 92 10 8│ 0 2 6│ │ the East │ │ │ │ │ │St. Bride │ 51 2 0│81 2 4[67]│ 61 3 8│ 0 6 7│ │St. Giles and │ │ │ │ │ │ St. George, │ 768 4 0│ 870 15 0│ 892 7 8│ 0 10 11│ │ Bloomsbury │ │ │ │ │ │St. Dunstan, │ 24 0 8│ 35 5 10│ 32 18 7│ 0 5 8│ │ Westminster │ │ │ │ │ │St. Clement │ 112 19 10│ 86 3 4│ 106 19 4│ 0 4 6│ │ Danes │ │ │ │ │ │Bethnal Green │ 67 4 0│ 62 3 6│ 66 17 2│ 0 1 6│ │St. Botolph, │ 58 2 8│ 45 10 0│ 54 13 8│ 0 7 0│ │ Aldersgate │ │ │ │ │ │St. George, │ 423 8 2│ 488 11 2│ 503 5 5│ 0 7 7│ │ Hanover Sq. │ │ │ │ │ │St. Giles, │ 66 6 10│ 56 14 10│ 70 3 9│ 0 5 6│ │ Cripplegate │ │ │ │ │ │St. Andrew, │ 324 14 1│ 223 15 2│ 284 16 5│ 0 8 6│ │ Holborn │ │ │ │ │ │St. Catherine │ 43 16 6│ 56 13 6│ 58 11 2│ 1 12 6│ │ Cree │ │ │ │ │ │St. Olave, Hart │ 37 4 0│ 32 2 0│ 43 4 8│ 1 17 7│ │ Street │ │ │ │ │ │Allhallows │ 7 19 0│ 15 16 6│ 18 11 8│ 1 6 2│ │ Barking │ │ │ │ │ │Total │ 2,580 2 11│ 2,563 5 9│ 2,781 16 3│ 0 6 2│ └────────────────┴────────────┴────────────┴─────────────┴────────────┘

N.B.—This List specifics only the Clergyman’s Fees, not those paid to
the Churchwardens, Clerk, or Sexton.

PAROCHIAL BURIAL-GROUNDS IN THE METROPOLIS.

┌──────────────────────────────┬──────────┬─────────┬─────────┬───────┐ │ │ │Estimated│ Annual │No. of │ │ PLACES OF BURIAL. │Population│Extent in│Number of│Burials│ │ │ in 1841. │ Square │Burials. │ per │ │ │ │ Yards. │ │ Acre. │ ├──────────────────────────────┼──────────┼─────────┼─────────┼───────┤ │Allhallows Barking, Great │ 1,924│ 825│ 50│ 293│ │ Tower Street │ │ │ │ │ │All hallows, Bread Street │ 263│ 100│‘Scarcely│ │ │ │ │ │ any’ │ │ │Allhallows, Lombard Street │ 516│ 350│‘Seldom │ │ │ │ │ │ used.’ │ │ │Allhallows, London Wall │ 1,620│ 615│ 24│ 189│ │Allhallows, Staining Lane │ 502│ 619│ 20│ 156│ │Allhallows-the-Great, Thames │ 672│ 346}│ 50│ 319│ │ Street │ │ │ │ │ │Allhallows-the-Less, ditto │ 181│ 412}│ │ │ │Alphage, St. London Wall │ 976│ 388│ 50│ 624│ │Andrew’s. St │ 35,301│ 4,840│ 250│ 250│ │Andrew’s, St. Burial-ground, │ │ 9,258│ 312│ 163│ │ Gray’s Inn Lane │ │ │ │ │ │Andrew’s, St. Undershaft │ 1,163│ 265│ 70│ 1,278│ │Andrew’s, St. Wardrobe, and │ 3,596│ 657│ 100│ 737│ │ St. Ann, Blackfriars │ │ │ │ │ │Anne, St. and St. Agnes within│ 513│ 1,650│ 70│ 205│ │ Aldersgate │ │ │ │ │ │Ann’s, St. Limehouse │ 19,337│ 24,500│ 150│ 30│ │Anne’s, St. Soho │ 16,480│ 2,732│ 200│ 354│ │Augustine’s, St. and St. │ 1,070│ 3,700│ 30│ 39│ │ Faith’s. │ │ │ │ │ │Bartholomew, St. the Great │ 3,414│ 783│ 100│ 618│ │Bartholomew, St. the Less │ 744│ 183│ 8│ 212│ │Benet, St. Fink │ 383│ 277│ 6│ 105│ │Benet, St. Paul’s Wharf │ 588│ 297│ 36│ 587│ │Bennet, St. Sherehog │ 145│ 145│‘Seldom │ │ │ │ │ │ used.’ │ │ │Botolph, St. Aldersgate │ 5,906│ 1,918│ 250│ 631│ │Botolph, St. Aldgate │ 9,525│ 1,545│ 250│ 783│ │Botolph, St. Bishopsgate │ 10,969│ 3,034│ 250│ 399│ │Botolph, St. by Billingsgate │ 278│ 266│ 3│ 55│ │Bride’s, St. Fleet Street } │ 6,126│ 1,472│ 130│ 427│ │ Ditto, Ground in Farringdon │ │ │ │ │ │ Street } │ │ │ │ │ │[68]Bridewell Chapel │ 529│ 2,400│ 10│ 20│ │Broadway Chapel of Ease to St.│ │ 7,220│ 500│ 335│ │ Margaret’s and St. John │ │ │ │ │ │Catherine, St. Coleman Street │ 322│ 388│ 36│ 449│ │Catherine, St. Cree, or │ 1,740│ 1,100│ 100│ 440│ │ Christchurch │ │ │ │ │ │Chapel Royal, Tower │ │ 525│ 4│ 37│ │Charlton Church │ │ 2,150│ 30│ 68│ │Chelsea Hospital Burial-ground│Vide St. │ 6,696│ 55│ 40│ │ │ Luke. │ │ │ │ │Chelsea Old Church │Vide St. │ 1,210│ 6│ 24│ │ │ Luke. │ │ │ │ │Christ Church, Blackfriars │ │ 8,448│ 520│ 298│ │ Road │ │ │ │ │ │Christ Church, Newgate Street │ 2,446│ 1,934│ 30│ 75│ │Christ Church, Spitalfields │ 20,436│ 6,413│ 350│ 264│ │Clement, St. Danes │ 15,459│ 1,736│ 100│ 279│ │Clement, St. Danes, 2nd │ │ 1,422│ 300│ 1,021│ │ Ground, Portugal Street │ │ │ │ │ │Cripplegate Poor-ground, │ │ 1,400│ 100│ 346│ │ Warwickplace, St. Luke’s │ │ │ │ │ │Dionis, St. Backchurch │ 806│ 132│ 20│ 733│ │Dunstan, St. Fleet Street │ 3,266│ 851│ 208│ 1,182│ │Dunstan, St. in the East │ 1,010│ 600│ 150│ 1,210│ │Dunstan, St. Stepney │ 63,723│ 21,795│ 200│ 44│ │East India Company’s Chapel │ │ 6,447│ 60│ 45│ │ Yard, High Street Poplar │ │ │ │ │ │Edmund, St. the King │ 391│ 164│‘Seldom │ │ │ │ │ │ used.’ │ │ │Ethelburga, St. │ 669│ 240│ 30│ 605│ │Fulham Church │ 9,319│ 12,000│ 200│ 81│ │George’s, St. Bloomsbury │ 16,981│ 12,100│ 300│ 120│ │George, St. Botolph Lane │ 235│ 76│ 2│ 127│ │George’s, St. District Church,│ 39,868│ 11,640│ 100│ 42│ │ Camberwell │ │ │ │ │ │George, St. Hanover Square, │ 66,453│ 21,200│ 1,200│ 240│ │ Burial-ground, Uxbridge Road│ │ │ │ │ │George, St. in the East │ 41,350│ 15,000│ 500│ 161│ │George, St. the Martyr │Vide St. │ 12,100│ 200│ 80│ │ │ Andrew’s.│ │ │ │ │George, St. Burial-ground, Old│ 46,644│ 1,368│ 130│ 460│ │ Kent Road │ │ │ │ │ │George, St. the Martyr, │ │ 4,050│ 470│ 562│ │ Southwark │ │ │ │ │ │Giles, St. Camberwell │ 39,868│ 16,000│ 500│ 151│ │Giles, St. Cripplegate │ 13,255│ 4,700│ 200│ 206│ │Giles, St. in the Fields │ 37,311│ 4,958│ 400│ 390│ │ Ditto, Burial-ground, St. │ │ 24,200│ 1,560│ 312│ │ Pancras │ │ │ │ │ │Greenwich Church │ 29,755│ 2,740│ 700│ 1,236│ │[69]Greenwich Hospital │ │ 22,480│ 300│ 65│ │ Burial-ground │ │ │ │ │ │Gregory, St. by St. Paul’s │ 1,444│ 1,095│ 100│ 442│ │Grosvenor Chapel, South Audley│ │ 6,000│ 36│ 29│ │ Street │ │ │ │ │ │[69]Guy’s Hospital Ground, │ │ 3,120│ 85│ 132│ │ Snow’s Fields │ │ │ │ │ │Hackney, South │Vide St. │ 3,300│ 100│ 145│ │ │ John │ │ │ │ │Hackney, West │Vide St. │ 6,534│ 200│ 148│ │ │ John │ │ │ │ │Helen, St. Great │ 659│ 779│ 30│ 186│ │Holy Trinity, Brompton │ 9,515│ 26,524│ 100│ 18│ │Islington Chapel of Ease │ │ 17,659│ 416│ 114│ │James, St. Chapel of Ease, │ │ 3,500│ 350│ 484│ │ Clerkenwell │ │ │ │ │ │James, St. Clerkenwell │ 56,756│ 2,000│ 400│ 968│ │James, St. Burial-ground, Ray │ │ 800│ 150│ 907│ │ Street, Clerkenwell │ │ │ │ │ │James, St. Clerkenwell, 2nd │ │ 1,000│ 300│ 1,452│ │ Ground │ │ │ │ │ │James, St. Duke’s Place │ 964│ 338│ 15│ 215│ │James, St. Garlickhithe │ 520│ 162│ 20│ 598│ │James, St. New Church │ │ 8,100│ 260│ 155│ │James, St. Piccadilly │ │ 4,840│ 60│ 60│ │ Ditto, Burial-ground, │ │ 26,620│ 624│ 113│ │ Hampstead Road │ │ │ │ │ │John, St. Baptist, Savoy │ 414│ 600│ 50│ 403│ │John’s, St. Chapel of Ease │ │ 26,000│ 1,560│ 290│ │John’s. St. Chapel, Walworth │ │ 6,400│ 150│ 113│ │John’s, St. Church, Waltham │ │ 3,600│ 15│ 20│ │ Green │ │ │ │ │ │John’s, St. Clerkenwell │Vide St. │ 315│ 200│ 3,073│ │ │ James │ │ │ │ │ Ditto, Burial-ground, │ │ 1,079│ 12│ 54│ │ Benjamin Street │ │ │ │ │ │John, St. the Evangelist │ 108│ 7,260│ 500│ 333│ │John, St. the Evangelist, │ │ 9,740│ 250│ 124│ │ Horslydown │ │ │ │ │ │John, St. the Evangelist, │ │ 5,924│ 400│ 327│ │ Great Waterloo Street │ │ │ │ │ │John’s, St. Hackney │ 37,771│ 31,000│ 700│ 108│ │John, St. the Baptist │ 367│ 363│ 12│ 160│ │John, St. High Street, Wapping│ 4,108│ 6,600│ 250│ 183│ │John’s, St. Hoxton │ │ 6,050│ 600│ 480│ │John, St. Zachary │ 183│ 905│ 6│ 32│ │King’s Road, Chelsea │ │ 4,840│ 130│ 130│ │Lawrence, St. Jewry │ 625│ 200│ 35│ 847│ │Leonard’s, St. Ground, Hackney│ │ 2,000│ 225│ 544│ │ Road │ │ │ │ │ │Leonard’s, St. Shoreditch │ 83,432│ 8,000│ 300│ 181│ │Luke’s, St. Burial-ground, │ │ 1,240│ 200│ 781│ │ Bath Street │ │ │ │ │ │Luke, St. Chelsea, New Church │ 40,179│ 19,360│ 468│ 117│ │Luke’s, St. Old Street │ 49,829│ 9,287│ 500│ 261│ │Magnus, St. │ 239│ 44│ 6│ 660│ │Margaret’s. St │ │ 5,000│ 50│ 48│ │Margaret, St. Lothbury │ 189│ 291│ 12│ 300│ │Margaret, St. Pattens, with } │ 553│ 81│‘Closed’ │ │ │ St. Gabriel, Fenchurch │ │ 473│ 4│ 41│ │ Street } │ │ │ │ │ │Mark’s, St. Kennington │ │ 8960│ 500│ 270│ │Martin, St. in the Fields, │ │ 19,360│ 832│ 208│ │ Burial-ground, Camden Town │ │ │ │ │ │ Ditto, Burial-ground, Drury │ │ 1,269│ 40│ 153│ │ Lane │ │ │ │ │ │Martin, St. Orgars │ 353│ 99│‘Seldom │ │ │ │ │ │ used’ │ │ │Martin. St. Outwich │ 135│ 123│ 12│ 472│ │Martin, St. Vintry │ 288│ 450│ 3│ 32│ │Mary, St. Abbotts, Kensington │ 26,834│ 6,620│ 330│ 241│ │Mary, St. Abchurch, with St. │ 907│ 566│ 6│ 51│ │ Lawrence Pountney │ │ │ │ │ │Mary, St. Aldermanbury │ 751│ 313│ 30│ 464│ │Mary’s, St. Burial-ground │ │ 2,776│ 200│ 349│ │Mary, St. Aldermary │ 494│ 173│ 8│ 224│ │Mary, St. at Hill │ 987│ 167│ 40│ 1,159│ │Mary, St. at Bow │ │ 2,716│ 52│ 93│ │Mary, St. Chapel, Hammersmith │ │ 8,960│ 20│ 11│ │Mary, St. Haggerstone │ │ 7,260│ 100│ 67│ │Mary, St. Lambeth │ 115,888│ 2,400│ 250│ 504│ │Mary, St. Islington │ 55,690│ 7,450│ 750│ 487│ │Mary, St. le-Strand, │ │ 473│ 90│ 921│ │ Burial-ground, Russell Court│ │ │ │ │ │Mary, St. le-Strand │ 2,520│ 200│ 12│ 290│ │Mary. St. Love Lane │ │ 100│‘Seldom │ │ │ │ │ │ used’ │ │ │Mary Magdalen, St │ │ 288│ 12│ 202│ │Mary Magdalen, St. Bermondsey │ 34,947│ 9,184│ 600│ 316│ │Mary’s, St. Newington │ 54,606│ 8,160│ 350│ 208│ │Mary’s, St. Paddington │ 25,173│ 20,116│ 936│ 222│ │Mary’s, St. Rotherhithe, and │ 13,917│ 11,800 }│ 345│ 139│ │ Trinity District Church │ │ 200 }│ │ │ │Mary, St. Somerset │ 375│ 389│‘Seldom │ │ │ │ │ │ used’ │ │ │Mary. St. Staining │ 268│ 423│ │ │ │Mary’s, St. Stoke Newington │ │ 3,000│ 50│ 81│ │Mary’s, St. Whitechapel │ 34,053│ 4,219│ 150│ 172│ │ Ditto. Workhouse-ground │ │ 2,776│ 200│ 349│ │Mary, St. Woolnoth │ 317│ 33│‘Very │ │ │ │ │ │ few’ │ │ │Mary, St. Woolwich │ 25,785│ 12,800│ 600│ 227│ │Mary-le-bone, St. │ 138,164│ 13,500│ 520│ 186│ │Mary-le-bone, St. Old Church, │ 1138,164│ 12,000│ 36│ 87│ │ High Street │ │ │ │ │ │Mary-le-Bow, St │ 346│ 250│ 30│ 581│ │Matthew, St. Bethnal Green │ 74,088│ 12,100│ 600│ 240│ │Matthew, St. Friday Street │ 160│ 208│ 21│ 489│ │Michael, St. Bassishaw │ 687│ 222│ 30│ 654│ │Michael, St. Cornhill │ 454│ 240│ 6│ 121│ │Michael, St. Queenhithe │ 647│ 266 }│ 30│ 342│ │ Ditto, Burial-ground, │ │ 158 }│ │ │ │ Trinity Lane │ │ │ │ │ │Mildred, St. Bread Street │ 351│ 242│‘Seldom │ │ │ │ │ │ used’ │ │ │Mildred, St. Poultry │ 280│ 84│ │ │ │Nicholas, St. Acon │ 194│ 287│ │ │ │Nicholas, St. Cole Abbey │ 254│ 67│‘Never │ │ │ │ │ │ used’ │ │ │Nicholas, St. Olave │ 431│ 334│ 20│ 290│ │Pancras, St. Old Church │ 129,763│ 24,200│ 400│ 80│ │Paradise Row Burying-ground │ │ 8,532│ 1,040│ 590│ │[70]Paul’s, St. Cathedral │ │ 3,745│‘Seldom │ │ │ │ │ │ used’ │ │ │Paul’s. St. Covent Garden │ 5,718│ 4,064 }│ 200│ 129│ │ Ditto. Burial-ground │ │ 3,455}│ │ │ │ contiguous to workhouse │ │ │ │ │ │Paul’s, St. Deptford │ │ 12,000│ 360│ 145│ │Paul’s, St. Hammersmith │ 9,888│ 6,888│ 200│ 141│ │Paul’s, St. Shadwell │ 10,060│ 3,000│ 250│ 403│ │[71]Penitentiary Burial Ground│ │ 432│ 10│ 112│ │Peter, St. Cheap, corner of │ 227│ 96│‘Never │ │ │ Wood St │ │ │ used’ │ │ │Peter, St. Cornhill │ 656│ 287│ 40│ 674│ │Peter, St. District Church, │ │ 7,800│ 300│ 186│ │ Walworth │ │ │ │ │ │Peter-le-Poor, St. │ 559│ 48│‘Seldom │ │ │ │ │ │ used’ │ │ │Peter’s, St. New Church, │ 3,565│ 1,210│ 50│ 200│ │ Hammersmith │ │ │ │ │ │Peter, St. Paul’s Wharf │ 341│ 292│‘Seldom │ │ │ │ │ │ used’ │ │ │Poplar New Church │ 20,342│ 14,686│ 300│ 99│ │Olave, St. Hart Street │ 816│ 462│ 36│ 377│ │Olave, St. Jewry │ 168│ 306│‘Seldom │ │ │ │ │ │ used’ │ │ │Olave, St. Silver Street │ 972│ 335│‘Never │ │ │ │ │ │ used’ │ │ │Olave’s, St. Tooley Street │ 6,745│ 770│ 200│ 1,257│ │Saviour’s, St │ 18,219│ 2,700 }│ │ │ │ Ditto, Cross Bones Ground, │ │ 4,500 }│ 244│ 143│ │ Red Cross Street } │ │ │ │ │ │ Ditto. College Park Street │ │ 1,040 }│ │ │ │Sepulchre, St │ │ 1,746 }│ │ │ │ Ditto, in Church Lane │ 12,325│ 1,785 }│ 256│ 293│ │ Ditto, in Durham Yard │ │ 702 }│ │ │ │Stephen, St. Walbrook │ 322│ 306│ 50│ 791│ │Swithin’s, St. Cannon Street │ 389│ 241│ 20│ 402│ │ Ditto, 2nd Ground │ │ 66│ 24│ 1,760│ │Temple Church, St. Mary’s │ │ 400│‘Very │ │ │ │ │ │ few’ │ │ │Thomas Apostle, St. │ 648│ 340│‘Seldom │ │ │ │ │ │ used’ │ │ │[71]Thomas, St. Hospital │ │ 1,449│ 84│ 282│ │ Ground, Snow’s Fields │ │ │ │ │ │Trinity Church, Minories │ 579│ 302│ 7│ 112│ │Vedast, St │ 427│ 108│ │ 179│ └──────────────────────────────┴──────────┴─────────┴─────────┴───────┘

PROTESTANT DISSENTERS’ BURIAL-GROUNDS AND OTHERS.

┌───────────────────────────────────────┬─────────┬─────────┬─────────┐ │ │Estimated│ Annual │ No. of │ │ PLACES OF BURIAL. │Extent in│Number of│ Burials │ │ │ Sq. │Burials. │per Acre.│ │ │ Yards. │ │ │ ├───────────────────────────────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┤ │ EPISCOPALIANS. │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │St. Leonard’s, Chapel, Bromley │ 270│ 52│ 932│ │St. George’s, Chapel, New Road │ 3,250│ 125│ 186│ │ │ │ │ │ │ PRESBYTERIANS. │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │Gravel Pit Chapel, Hackney │ 3,300│ 100│ 147│ │St. Andrew’s, Scotch Church │ 900│ 100│ 538│ │ │ │ │ │ │ CONGREGATIONALISTS OR INDEPENDENTS. │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │Independent Chapel, Greenwich │ 1,000│ 100│ 484│ │Pulling’s Chapel, Deptford │ 400│ 50│ 605│ │Wickliffe Chapel, Stepney │ 600│ 150│ 1,210│ │Ebenezer Chapel, Shadwell │ 680│ 120│ 854│ │Dr. Burder’s, Hackney │ 3,168│ 100│ 153│ │Meeting House, Old Gravel Lane │ 60│ 4│ 23│ │Esher Street, Lambeth │ 1,210│ 72│ 288│ │Brunswick Chapel, Three Colts Street │ 480│ 72│ 524│ │Collier’s Rents, Borough │ 970│ 50│ 249│ │Abney Chapel, Stoke Newington │ 780│ 36│ 223│ │Mile End Chapel │ 2,420│ 52│ 104│ │Trinity Chapel, Poplar │ 1,200│ 36│ 145│ │Stockwell Green │ 725│‘Very │ │ │ │ │ few’ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ BAPTISTS. │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │Enon Chapel, Woolwich │ 112│ 25│ 1,080│ │Worship Street Chapel │ 720│ 30│ 202│ │Regent Street, Lambeth │ 320│ 12│ 181│ │Cox’s, Dr., Chapel, Hackney │ 824│ 26│ 153│ │Maze Pond │ 650│ 10│ 74│ │East Street Chapel │ 140│ 2│ 69│ │Hammersmith │ 2,420│ 30│ 60│ │ │ │ │ │ │ WESLEYAN METHODISTS. │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │Methodist Chapel, Woolwich │ 1,226│ 100│ 395│ │City Road Chapel │ 2,148│ 150│ 338│ │Stafford Street, Peckham │ 336│ 16│ 230│ │Wesleyan Chapel, Hammersmith │ 2,430│ 18│ 36│ │Southwark Chapel, Long Lane, Borough │ 780│‘Very │ │ │ │ │ few’ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ ROMAN CATHOLICS. │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │Parker Row, Dockhead │ 300│ 100│ 1,613│ │Moorfields │ 120│ 30│ 1,210│ │Poplar │ 833│ 140│ 813│ │ │ │ │ │ │ QUAKERS. │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │Long Lane, Bermondsey │ 2,728│ 60│ 106│ │Coleman Street │ 4,759│ 35│ 35│ │Hammersmith │ 1,210│ 1 or 2│ 6│ │ │ │ │ │ │ JEWS. │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │Mile End Road │ 4,840│ 52│ 52│ │North Street, Mile End Road │ 24,200│ 200│ 40│ │Chelsea │ 4,800│ 22│ 22│ │Grove Street │ 10,890│ 30│ 13│ │ │ │ │ │ │ FOREIGN. │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │Swedish Chapel │ 450│ 10│ 108│ │ │ │ │ │ │ UNDESCRIBED. │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │Union Chapel, Woolwich │ 1,500│ 100│ 323│ │Cannon Street Road │ 2,400│ 550│ 1,109│ │Paradise Row, Lambeth │ 8,532│ 1,040│ 590│ │New Bunhill Fields, Islington │ 4,300│ 520│ 585│ │Ebenezer Chapel, Long Lane │ 265│ 20│ 365│ │Bunhill Fields │ 18,150│ 600│ 160│ │Zion Chapel, High Street, Borough │ 210│ 2│ 46│ │Poplar Chapel │ 8,000│ 52│ 31│ │Maberly Chapel │ 270│ 3│ 54│ │Brook Street, Ratcliffe Highway │ 700│ 2 or 3│ 21│ │Millyard Chapel │ 960│ 1│ 5│ │Whitfield’s Chapel, St. Pancras │ 4,650│ 300│ 312│ │York Street Chapel, Lock’s Fields │ 1,860│‘Very │ │ │ │ │ few’ │ │ │Denmark Row, Cold Harbour Lane │ 400│ │ │ │Salem Chapel, Woolwich │ 360│‘Seldom │ │ │ │ │ any’ │ │ │Little Alie Street, Goodman’s Fields │‘Small’ │ 6│ │ └───────────────────────────────────────┴─────────┴─────────┴─────────┘

GENERAL BURIAL-GROUNDS.

┌───────────────────────────────────────┬─────────┬─────────┬─────────┐ │ │Estimated│ Annual │ No. of │ │ PLACES OF BURIAL. │Extent in│Number of│ Burials │ │ │ Sq. │Burials. │per Acre.│ │ │ Yards. │ │ │ ├───────────────────────────────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┤ │[72]Bunhill Fields, City │ 8,000│ 1,000│ 605│ │[72]Bunhill Fields, New │ 3,250│ 1,560│ 2,323│ │[72]John’s, St., Borough │ 1,440│ 142│ 477│ │[72]London, North East │ 24,200│ 250│ 50│ │[72]Sheen’s New Ground │ 9,680│ 600│ 300[72]│ │Spa Fields │ 14,520│ 1,560│ 520│ └───────────────────────────────────────┴─────────┴─────────┴─────────┘

CEMETERIES.

┌───────────────────────────────────────┬─────────┬─────────┬─────────┐ │ │Estimated│ Annual │ No. of │ │ PLACES OF BURIAL. │Extent in│Number of│ Burials │ │ │ Sq. │Burials. │per Acre.│ │ │ Yards. │ │ │ ├───────────────────────────────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┤ │Highgate Cemetery │ 101,640│ 220│ 10│ │Nunhead ditto │ 242,000│ 208│ 4│ │East London ditto, Beaumont Square, │ 26,620│ 850│ 154│ │ Mile End │ │ │ │ │City of London and Tower Hamlets ditto,│ 135,520│ 624│ 22│ │ Mile End │ │ │ │ │West of London and Westminster ditto, │ 193,600│ 254│ 6│ │ Earls Court, Brompton │ │ │ │ │South Metropolitan ditto, Norwood │ 193,600│ 180│ 5│ │Kensal Green. All Souls’ Cemetery │ 222,640│ 800│ 17│ │Abney Park Cemetery │ 145,200│ 200│ 7│ └───────────────────────────────────────┴─────────┴─────────┴─────────┘

-----

Footnote 43:

Art. ‘Mortality,’ Ency. Britan., last edit., p. 524.

Footnote 44:

The county of Dublin is left out as having a disproportionate amount
of suburban population.

Footnote 45:

The census, which gives not only the description of the houses, but
the different description of buildings or sizes of farms, shows that
in both groups of counties they are nearly of the same size, but the
farms are rather the largest in the best conditioned group. In both
sets, 93 per cent. of the farms are under 30 acres; upwards of 40 per
cent. of them from 1 to 5 acres only; 35 per cent. of them from 5 to
15 acres; 13 per cent. from 15 to 30 acres; and about 7 per cent. only
above 30 acres; so that the chief differences would apparently be in
their houses.

Footnote 46:

By my colleagues and myself, the uncertainty of the returns of
commitments, or of convictions, as data to judge of the amount of
crime committed in any district, was demonstrated in § 1 to § 4 of our
Report as Commissioners of Inquiry into the condition of the
Constabulary Force in England and Wales; but that uncertainty attaches
perhaps in the least degree to the higher classes of crimes.

Footnote 47:

Mr. W. B. Robinson, the Registrar for West Hackney District, describes
the condition of the houses where the greatest mortality prevails as
“bad, with murky superficial gutters within a yard of the front doors.
Supply of water bad, quite insufficient for health, and that only
three times a week; cleanliness not prevailing. Shacklewell is, beyond
doubt, the most healthy village in the district, or, I may say (after
nearly 30 years’ practice here), within the same distance from London
(two miles). The only parts of the district that are particularly
unhealthy are the streets I have named, together with Hartwell street,
Dalston; but all these require three things only to render them not
less healthy than the other parts of the neighbourhood: 1. Proper and
effectual drainage, and removal of superficial drains and gutters. 2.
A constant supply of water, so as to wash away impurities in the
drains, and enable the inhabitants to preserve a greater degree of
cleanliness, &c. 3. That the houses should be kept in better repair,
and frequently limewashed; and the privies should be more frequently
emptied, and not allowed to run over; and that any stagnant ditch,
within a certain distance from houses, should be covered over.”

Footnote 48:

Mr. E. Jay, Registrar of Hanover-square District.—Name any particular
streets, courts, or houses which, from the number of deaths occurring
therein, and the nature of the diseases, appear to you to be
unhealthy.—“I should therefore say that the most unhealthy streets,
&c., in my district are Oxford-buildings, Brownstreet, Toms-court,
Thomas-street, Grosvenor-market, Grosvenor-mews, George-street, and
Hart-street; and to these, perhaps, may be added North-row, and
Dolphin-court, and Providence-court, also the north end of
Davies-street, adjoining Oxford-street. I have observed small-pox
always to exist, when prevalent anywhere, in No. 24, George-street
(Grosvenor-square); and much sickness and mortality have occurred in
No. 18, Oxford-buildings. Oxford-buildings consist of 18 inhabited
houses, containing many wretched families, principally Irish
labourers; it was improved lately, in consequence of the exertions of
humane individuals, but is still the seat of great poverty and vice.
The ventilation here is so bad, that even visiting the houses is a
disagreeable duty, from the foul air breathed even for a short space
of time. The supply of water is good, and the drainage is reported by
those who attend to the subject to be perfect, as it is throughout the
parish; but the bad effluvia show that there must be some defect in
this point. Three families frequently live in one room, some of the
houses containing upwards of 50 persons; many of them live almost
entirely on potatoes and herrings, and beer when they can get it. Want
of fuel in many cases in winter. Brown-street.—Occupied by the poor
and working class; the rooms very small, badly ventilated, and
cleansed; the damp kitchens, with frequently stone-doors, are lived
and slept in. Living is bad, from the poverty which prevails here.
Hart-street.—Many poor families reside here, often in great want.
Tolerably well drained. Toms-court.—Contains eight houses; inhabitants
in a wretched state in many cases, partly from want of employ, partly
from intemperance. Small-pox and epidemics have raged here.
George-street.—Some of the houses here are inhabited by working men of
a better class, but it also contains others in a wretched condition,
in point of cleanliness and ventilation, and much privation is
suffered by the inhabitants. Grosvenor-market.—This spot is
particularly close, being built almost in _cul de sac_; the houses are
dark, badly ventilated, and most unhealthy; the food of some of the
poorest principally potatoes; a large slaughter-house situated here
adds to its unhealthiness; great want of fuel in winter.
Grosvenor-mews.—Here the inhabitants are very thickly crowded, and
among the children there is always much mortality; in one house, at
the time of taking the census, there were 80 persons. The inhabitants
consist of coachmen and their families, as do many of the mews in this
district. This class is frequently intemperate: they live over
stables, are ignorant of the necessity of free ventilation, and many
appear to suffer in consequence. New comers from the country complain
of the want of free air, to which they ascribe their deteriorated
health. Thomas-street.—Some of the houses in bad condition, and
inhabited by the poorest families. No attention to ventilation. Supply
of butchers’ meat casual and infrequent. Pneumonia and bronchitis are
frequently fatal in these poorer districts; and he who enters the
damp, dark, underground kitchen, in which all the occupants live and
sleep, in which the room is made more close by a fire required for
their cooking, the atmosphere is loaded with moisture from wet clothes
hung across the narrow space to dry, and probably some child ill of
disease, sees that such a state of surrounding circumstances shuts out
all chance of recovery in at least the majority of cases.”

Footnote 49:

Mr. G. Pitt, the Registrar of the Rotherhithe District,
states:—“Hanover-street contains about 35 or 40 houses, in a very old
and dilapidated state. The houses have generally six or eight rooms
each, and sometimes as many families of the poorest kind, chiefly
Irish. As the street has no thoroughfare, and is on an incline of at
least 10 feet, it is badly drained. The water and filth constantly
remaining in the street, it is most unhealthy. The same remarks apply
in all respects to Spread Eagle-court, except that the houses stand
upon level ground. Norfolk-place and Kenning’s-buildings are exposed
to the most offensive exhalations of about 150 feet in length of open
sewer, which receives the filth of the whole surrounding
neighbourhood. Typhus prevailed here at one time to a most serious
extent. The persons who occupy the houses above described are
labourers, with uncertain employment, and their earnings of course
irregular. Their food of the coarsest kind, with habits by no means
temperate.”

Footnote 50:

Mr. W. Stainer, the Registrar of St. Olave District.—In what parts of
your district has the number of deaths registered in the years 1838,
1839, 1840, 1841, and 1842 been the greatest, in proportion to the
population?—“In the densely populated courts and alleys where there
are open drains and sewers, and the inhabitants are living in dirt,
stench, and a state of wretchedness to be conceived only by those who
have witnessed it. Prior to the year 1841 several very unhealthy
courts existed, in which some of the earliest cases of Asiatic cholera
occurred on the first appearance of that disease in the metropolis,
but these have been removed, and the ground now forms the site of the
termini of the Brighton and other railways. There are large open
sewers completely stagnant through or near them, the smell from which
in summer is so dreadful that it is extraordinary how human beings can
bear it. The supply of water is scanty. The inhabitants are not more
dirty than might be expected from their circumstances.”

Footnote 51:

Mr. James Pursey, the Registrar of St. Mary, Paddington.—In what parts
of your district has the greatest number of deaths occurred from
small-pox, measles, scarlatina, hooping-cough, diarrhœa, dysentery,
cholera, influenza, or fever (typhus)?—“Kent’s-place, Church-place,
North-wharf-road, Dudley-street, Green-street.” And state generally
the condition of those unhealthy streets, courts, and houses, as to
drainage, supplies of water, cleanliness.—“There being no sewer, the
drainage is bad. A good supply of water may be had if proper
receptacles were set up. Filthy condition; Kent’s-place particularly;
so much so, that the medical officer stated to me that he intended to
write to the guardians thereupon.”

Mr. T. W. C. Perfect, the Registrar of St. Peter’s, Hammersmith.—“All
that part of the district called Mulberry-hall, consisting of various
courts and alleys; South-street, in an unfinished state; High-bridge,
including New-street; Foundry-yard; Trafalgar-street and
Henrietta-street; the New-road, and all the houses erected, and now
building in Mr. Scott’s park. Always damp and aguish.”

Mr. W. Larner, the Registrar of the North-west District.—In what parts
of your district has the greatest number of deaths occurred from
small-pox, measles, scarlatina, hooping cough, diarrhœa, dysentery,
cholera, influenza, or fever (typhus)?—“Chelsea Workhouse,
Leader-street, Oakham street, Little College-street, Arthur-street,
and Britton-street. The above streets are not supplied with sewers to
drain the surface, and, consequently, the waste water of the houses is
carried away by cesspools on the respective premises attached to each
house. Generally supplied by water being laid on from the Chelsea
Water-works Company. In general, a want of cleanliness. According to
the returns on taking the census in 1841, it was found to be the case
that very many of the houses in the above-mentioned streets (the
principal of which are only four-roomed houses) contained 10, 12, and
in some cases more persons; therefore, it may be inferred from those
returns it oftentimes occurs that three, four, and frequently more,
sleep in the same rooms in these streets.”

Footnote 52:

Mr. Edward Joseph, the Registrar of the Rectory District,
states:—“Calmell-buildings, to which I allude, is a narrow court,
being about 22 feet in breadth; the houses are three stories high,
surrounded and overtopped by the adjacent buildings; the drainage is
carried on by a common sewer running down the centre of the court, the
receptacle for slops, &c. from the houses on both sides; the lower
apartments, especially the kitchens, which are under ground, are damp
and badly ventilated, light and air being admitted through a grating
on a level with the court. At all times, but especially so in warm
weather, a most offensive effluvia is perceptible everywhere. The
houses are 26 in number, and rented at about 20_l._ to 30_l._ per
annum; each contains 10 rooms, which the renters of houses let out to
families or individuals, who in their turn in many instances receive
as lodgers those who are unable to bear the expenses of a room; by
such means an immense per centage is added to the original rent.
According to last year’s census, the number of inhabitants in this
court was 944, of whom 426 were males, 518 females; of this number,
118 were children under 7 years of age; 200 from 7 to 20 years; 439
from 20 to 45; and 189 from 45 years and upwards. The number of
persons in one house varied from 2 to 70. Males employed, 261;
females, 163. Total number of the working population 424, leaving 520
without occupation; the greater part of these were children and old
persons, dependent upon parochial relief and the assistance of others.
The following is a statement of the comparative mortality in different
parts of the houses, as it occurred during the past year:—In the
kitchens, 1 in 13; parlours, 1 in 37; first floor, 1 in 30; second
floor, 1 in 33; attics, 1 in 12.”

Footnote 53:

Mr. A. Barnett, the Registrar of the Limehouse District.—In what parts
of your district has the number of deaths registered in the years
1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, and 1842, been the greatest in proportion to
the population?—“In those parts of my district in which there exists
the greatest amount of distress, namely, the want of food, of firing,
of water, also of cleanliness, both of person and habitation, and, I
may add, of the district generally: as examples, may be mentioned the
districts surrounding Jamaica-place, Salmon’s-lane, Eastfield-street,
Limehouse-causeway, Three-colt-street, and the Tile-yard.” And state
generally the condition of those unhealthy streets, courts, and
houses, as to drainage, supplies of water, and cleanliness.—“The
drainage is frequently altogether wanting, in most cases very
imperfect; the supply of water insufficient, and want of cleanliness
very apparent.”

Mr. T. Barnes, the Registrar of the Shadwell District.—In what parts
of your district has the number of deaths registered in the years
1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, and 1842, been the greatest in proportion to
the population?—“New Gravel-lane, and the several courts and alleys
communicating therewith, Angel-gardens, New-street, and
Labour-in-vain-street, Shadwell; Red Lion-street (including the
workhouse), Upper Well-alley, Cross-alley, and Upper Gun-alley,
Wapping. The drainage is bad; the supplies of water are insufficient.
In these parts of the district the density of population is great. In
many cases a whole family, consisting of seven or eight persons, sleep
in the same room.”

Footnote 54:

Mr. Worrell, the Registrar of the Gray’s Inn-lane District:—“To
ascertain and compare the healthy with the unhealthy parts of my
district, I have placed against each street the whole number of deaths
from all causes during the last five years. I have taken the number of
deaths from a population of 5000, resident in what I consider healthy
streets; and I have also taken the number of deaths from a population
of 5000, resident in streets which I consider unhealthy. The 5000
occupying the best houses are composed of merchants, professional
gentlemen, and the richer class of tradesmen; they occupy 728 houses,
containing about 7800 good rooms; the streets are wide, well drained,
and have a plentiful supply of water. The 5000 occupying the unhealthy
streets are composed of the lower class of tradesmen, journeymen
mechanics, labourers, and costermongers; they occupy 431 houses,
containing about 2800 rooms, the best of which are little better than
the worst of the 7800 before mentioned; the streets are mostly
confined, the drains in a bad state, and in many places the
accumulation of filth renders the atmosphere foul, whilst the supply
of water is not very good. The number of deaths which I find in the
healthy-streets during five years, amongst a population of 5000,
amounts to 325; and, during the same period, amongst 5000 occupying
the unhealthy streets I find 613. No doubt, many of the residents in
the best houses go into the country, with the view of benefiting their
health, and there die; but certain it is that many more of the poorer
classes die in the workhouses and hospitals—so that, no doubt, amongst
a certain number of poor, at least two deaths occur to one amongst the
same number of rich. Having been a collector of rates upwards of 25
years, and, as a house agent, having had much to do with the letting
of houses, I am thoroughly acquainted with the neighbourhood; and,
having taken an active part in collecting and distributing voluntary
contributions in times of distress and severe weather, I have been
enabled to judge of the condition of the poor and their habitations,
and I have always observed that sickness prevails much more in places
where sewers and drains are bad than in other parts where the
inhabitants are equally poor, but have more wholesome houses to live
in. Any suggestion here as to remedy may, probably, be considered out
of place, but, having had much experience as a Commissioner of
Pavements, as well as in several offices of local management during
the last 25 years, and having given much attention to the subject (an
evil which, in my opinion, affects the metropolis to an extent little
imagined), I have no doubt as to the means of remedy, and improvement
in the local administration living perfectly easy and effectual.”

“In another classification he arranges, from descriptions of streets
with nearly equal population, the highest in each class; the relative
proportions, and average ages of deaths, are ascertained to be as
follows:—

Population. Deaths. Average Age of Death.
Class 1 1432 97 35
Class 2 1465 119 32
Class 3 1448 157 25
Class 4 1386 200 21

“The above statement proves that, out of a population of 1432
occupying the best houses, 95 deaths occurred within five years, 29 of
which, at and under five years of age; and that out of a population of
1386, occupying the worst houses, the whole number of deaths are one
hundred and eighty-nine, one hundred and four of which at and under
five years of age.”

Footnote 55:

Mr. F. Hutchinson, the Registrar of the South District:—State
generally the condition of those unhealthy streets, courts, and
houses, as to drainage, supplies of water, cleanliness.—“The drainage
of all or most of these courts and houses is exceedingly defective.
About a year ago, for instance, I thought it my duty to complain to
the local authorities respecting a privy in Hanging-sword-alley, that
had been full for a great length of time, and could not have been
used, but for a hole just below the seat, by means of which the fluid
contents flowed into the open gutter. The effluvia from these houses
arising from the defective state of the drains is most offensive. In
some houses there are only cesspools in the cellars, which are emptied
only once in from six months to three years. Water is supplied from
the New River three times a-week for about two hours. In many of the
houses, water-pipes have never been laid down, and in others the
Company have stopped the supplies, in consequence of non-payment. Some
of these places, and in particular Plumtree-court, are in a most
filthy state. Offal, accumulations of dirt, and the refuse of
vegetables, &c, lying in the gutters. The houses are generally
remarkable for their dirty and uncomfortable appearance, and are
mostly without any proper receptacle for dirt and ashes. The
population is very dense; 15 to 20, and, I am informed, sometimes 30
persons, inhabiting one house, consisting of six rooms. The general
condition of the population is very bad, particularly as regards the
women and children, who are more confined to these localities than the
men, the latter being generally employed elsewhere during the
day-time. Many of the persons renting these houses suffer in pocket by
letting lodgings to parties who never pay; and in health, by thus
crowding their families, so as to induce disease and infectious
disorders.”

Footnote 56:

Mr. C. H. Rich, the Registrar of the Mile End New Town District,
observes:—“With reference as to the healthy and unhealthy streets in
my district, I have been carefully through my books, and I cannot
particularize any one place more than another. The drainage is very
bad; the hamlet is drained principally by surface drainage, which
empties itself into a ditch which is uncovered. It runs along the
north side of the hamlet, which makes it very unwholesome; there has,
within the last three years, been a sewer made (down High-street and
Well-street), which has much improved that part of the district. The
hamlet has been much improved within the last four years as regards
the paving of several of the streets which were in a most filthy
state; they are now under the commission. If Luke-street and
Underwood-street, which contain about 50 houses in each street, were
paved, it would be a great improvement, and no doubt beneficial to
health. For want of proper sewerage, the health of the hamlet is
generally bad.”

Footnote 57:

Mr. N. Bowring, the Registrar of the district Haggerstone West,
specifies as the seats of the greatest mortality,—“Philips-street,
Edward-street, Mill-row, Wilmer-gardens, and the upper part of Hoxton
Old Town (east side), in which the principal diseases are typhus
fever, consumption, inflammation of the lungs, and scarlatina. Two of
those places mentioned above, namely, Mill-row and Wilmer-gardens, are
without drainage; but at the back of the west end of Philips-street,
south side of Edward-street, and at the back of the upper end of
Hoxton Old Town, is an open ditch, almost a dead level, in which filth
of every description is thrown. I believe it is under the management
of the Commissioners of Sewers, but is seldom cleaned out; the stench
emitted, particularly in the summer months, is almost intolerable, and
is considered by the inhabitants as the sole cause of much illness and
death. Drainage very deficient. Water supplied three times a week. The
people generally of cleanly habits.”

Footnote 58: