( 494 ) 



XVII. — Oa the Construction of Labourers' Cottages. By 

 T. W. P. Isaac, Terrace Walks, Bath. 



Prize Essay. 



Introductory Remarlis. — It is to be deplored that most of the 

 schemes for the social education of the agricultural labourer have 

 not met with the success which they deserve. This, no doubt^ 

 has arisen from the fact that these well-meant efforts have too 

 often assumed the form of charity, and thus the honest feeling 

 of independence, which should everywhere exist, has been well 

 nigh lost. 



The greatest assistance that can be rendered to the labourer is 

 to induce him to help himself; and we know of no way in which 

 this can be more effectually accomplished than by affording him 

 a suitable residence. 



It cannot be denied that there exists a very intimate connection 

 between bad dwellings and bad tenants ; and it is equally certain 

 that as the class of the dwelling is raised, the character of the 

 inhabitant is also improved. 



In Chadwick's Report on the Sanitary Condition of the Labour- 

 ing Population, 1842,* there is a letter from the chairman of the 

 Bedford Union (see p. 262). In this, speaking of the beneficial 

 influence which improved dwellings produce on the moral habits 

 of the inmates, he says : — 



" I have much pleasure in saying that some cases of the kind have come under 

 my own observation, and I consider that the improvement has arisen a good' 

 deal from the parties feeling that they are somewhat raised in the scale of 

 society. The man sees his wife and family more comfortable than formerly ; 

 he has a better cottage and garden, he is stimulated to industry, and, as he 

 rises in respectability of station, he becomes aware that he has a character to 

 lose. Thus an important point is gained. Having acquired certain advantages, 

 he is anxious to retain and improve them ; he strives more to preserve his inde- 

 pendence, and becomes a member of benefit, medical, and clothing societies,- 

 and frequently, besides this, lays up a certain sum, quarterly or half-yearly, 

 in the savings' bank. Almost always attendant upon these advantages, we 

 find the man sending his children to be regularly instructed in a Sunday, and, 

 where possible, in a day school, and himself and family more constant in their 

 attendance at some place of worship on the Lord's day. 



" A man Avho comes home to a poor comfortless hovel after his day's labour, 

 and sees all miserable around him, has his spirits more often depressed than 

 excited by it. He feels that, do his best, he shall be miserable still, and is too 

 apt to fly for a temporary refuge to ,the alehouse or beershop. But give him 

 the means of making himself comfortable by his own industry, and I am con- 

 vinced by experience that, in many cases, he will avail himself of it." 



A letter from the clerk of the Stafford Union in the above 



* We cannot too strongly recommend this admirable Keport to the notice of all 

 owners of cottage property. 



