A SANITARY OUTLOOK 375 



frequent changes of scene are wholesome and educational for children, 

 and so they are shifted year after year to one watering place after 

 another, which, in so far as they come within their observation, are all 

 very much alike. No doubt a variety of new impressions and world- 

 wonder are valuable, but these should come after childhood is over. 

 The apprenticeship should precede the travels, and for young children 

 it is far better that they should be allowed to wind their affections 

 round some one spot of earth, and slowly to form tender associations 

 which will be sustaining and gladdening to them to the end of their 

 days, than that they should dissipate their interest in sight-seeing, and 

 be pleased with a succession of images as immemorable and unemo- 

 tional as the figures of the kaleidoscope. The farm house has no 

 doubt many advantages as a holiday retreat, but the cheap cottage, as 

 a family seat and permanent possession, is infinitely superior. I hope 

 that some of my sanitary inspector friends in the large towns may see 

 their way to acquire one in some suitable locality. Of well-selected 

 plan, and with some small attractions and additions such as my sani- 

 tary inspector friends will well know how to devise, raising the price 

 somewhat upon that of the Letchworth model, but still leaving it 

 within the category of cheapness, such a dwelling should be a source of 

 health and pleasure, and also a good investment. 



I have taken a wide, a hurried, and, I fear, a somewhat confusing 

 sanitary outlook, but, when I meet you, so many topics in which we are 

 mutually interested press for attention that I am tempted to attempt 

 too much. If at any point in the outlook I have interested you, or 

 suggested to you some new thought, or some new aspect of an old 

 thought, I shall be well content. 



