POPULATION IX TOWNS 119 



state of the lodgings of the lower orders of the 

 people. This is not only applicable to the old 

 houses in the narrow lanes of the city, but 

 also to buildings, comparatively of yesterday's 

 erection. The maxim acted upon by every 

 town is perhaps the most narrow that can 

 well be imagined. If an acre of land in 

 London is worth more than ten in any other 

 part of Middlesex, surely the wisdom of the 

 metropolis is to possess as many acres as pos- 

 sible. Is this the maxim she has acted upon ? 

 The very contrary has been her policy ! The 

 house in which we lodge presents a fair ex- 

 terior to Albany Street, but its value is greatly 

 depreciated by the crowded state of the houses 

 between it and the canal basin. Here there 

 are four ranges of buildings, where there only 

 ought to have been but one. These appear to 

 be principally occupied by the labouring classes. 

 A little more acquaintance with science, and 

 the elements of health, will teach both parties 

 the folly of their present conduct. We our- 

 selves can honestly tell the landlord of the 

 buildings in which we live, that were it not for 

 the value of his tenant, we should put ex- 

 tremely little value upon our lodgings. 

 i 4 



