Price.] 320 [January. 



moderate earnings of the artisan, independently of every other 

 family, with more conveniences and comforts than the most wealthy 

 enjoyed less than half a century ago, it is with a pleasing and grate- 

 ful feeling that we contemplate the expansion of this largest city of 

 our continent. Its expansions, too, are not like those of some cities, 

 in narrow and uncleanly lanes and alleys, and by mean and neglected 

 dwellings, but on some sides by houses of superior architectural style, 

 and on others by rows of smaller dwellings, neat, cleanly, and com- 

 plete in comfort. It is much more a cause of satisfaction to reflect 

 that we have the largest city, with the best accommodations for its 

 hundred thousand families, than to have a population of a million or 

 more, compelled to live two or more families in a house. And the 

 law provides, by supervision of inspectors and the enactment of pen- 

 alties, that houses shall be substantially built, secure from fire, and 

 with ample adjoining space for the admission of fresh air. No more 

 narrow alleys or courts can be built upon for dwellings, nor any dwell- 

 ing house without an open curtilage of 144 superficial feet. In such a 

 city, when the old parts shall be rebuilt, there can be but few confined 

 places to breed physical or moral di-sease and contagion, or riot and 

 rebellion. To the providence of William Penn we owe it that public 

 squares aff"ord places of exercise and for fresh air to all families in 

 the centre of our city; and the Consolidation Act makes it the duty 

 of Councils to continue to provide them ; a duty that is not sufiiciently 

 regarded, but a duty that should be fulfilled by purchases, and not 

 by the arbitrary power of taking the property of the citizen at a price 

 to be fixed by strangers to him, whom he has not selected, and would 

 not trust. 



The law has so provided for the education of children in our city 

 and commonwealth, that every one may be educated at the public 

 charge, without any expense to parents for books or tuition. So far 

 as school education can make good members of the family, and good 

 citizens, the law has provided the means, and parents are derelict to 

 their duty who do not make this resource available for the improve- 

 ment of their children. It is true the law does not coerce the at- 

 tendance of the children at the schools, yet it is well for negligent 

 parents to know that if their children prove vicious, for want of a 

 proper home and school education, the public has such a paramount 

 interest in them, and in their preservation from vagrancy, crime, and 

 cost to the community, that the law has provided for their being taken 

 charge of, to be better trained, protected, and educated, in the Chil- 

 dren's Homes and Houses of Refuge, whence, as from the Almshouses, 



