102 



It sometimes happens that the most simple are overlooked 

 for more intricate and scientific means ; and thus it is, the 

 philosopher often employs his talents to little purpose, and 

 the philanthropist dwells on the gaol and pestilence rather 

 than on more primary evils. In illustration, I may mention a 

 suggestion of my own to a former keeper of the lighthouse at 

 New Brighton, which led to great improvement, viz., the sub- 

 stitution of red for the ordinary glass chimneys over the 

 flame, so as to do away with the thick, and consequently darker, 

 red plate in front of the lamps; a plan afterwards carried 

 out by Captain Denham, and now adopted with all the 

 coloured lights along our coasts. The career and self-sacrifice 

 of a Howard are familiar to us all, and an honour to our 

 country ; and far am I from disparaging such labours, but I 

 cannot avoid alluding to the sentimentality of the present day, 

 that makes the gaol preferable to the workhouse, and this 

 latter too accessible ; as the law should have its terrors, and 

 the hospital be kept for the aged and infirm alone, and not for 

 the able-bodied, the wanton and improvident. We.re similar 

 energies and wealth devoted to lessen the discomforts and 

 social grievances of our crowded and destitute population, 

 much of the existing misery would be removed. It is true, 

 the operation and beneficial results of preventive measures are 

 less obvious and immediate than of curative, as in disease, and 

 cannot so readily be framed into tables, which, published as 

 statistics, form a strong inducement to work ; but attention to 

 them is only the more noble, and will prove equally satisfactory 

 to the sincere and enbghtened Christian. 



The object in view is not only sanitary, but social, and cor- 

 rective of pauperism and vice, and much of it could easily 

 be attained, were the clergy, in their domiciliary visits, to 

 advise thereon, and occasionally lend or give a trifling pecu- 

 niary assistance. A smoky house is proverbial for producing 

 irritability of temper, and, when conjoined with a rainy day, 

 man's miseries are supposed complete. I speak earnestly on the 



