82 AN AMERICAN FARMER IN ENGLAND. 



to ten gardeners and labourers in summer, and to five in 

 winter.* 



The generous spirit and fearless enterprise, that has ac 

 complished this, has not been otherwise forgetful of the 

 health and comfort of the poor.f Among other things, I 

 remember, a public washing and bathing house for the 

 town is provided. I should have mentioned also, in connec 

 tion with the market, that in the outskirts of the town there 

 is a range ot stone slaughter-houses, with stables, yards, pens, 

 supplies of hot and cold water, and other arrangements and 

 conveniences, that enlightened regard for health and decency 

 vvould suggest. 



The consequence of all these sorts of things is, that all 

 about the town, lands, which a few years ago were almost 

 worthless wastes, have become of priceless value ; where no 

 sound was heard but the bleating of goats and braying of 

 asses complaining of their pasturage, there is now the hasty 

 click and clatter of many hundred busy trowels and hammers. 

 You may drive through wide and thronged streets of stately 

 edifices, where were only a few scattered huts, surrounded by 

 quagmires. Docks of unequalled size and grandeur are 

 building, and a forest of masts grows along the shore ; and 



* &quot;When the important advantages to the poorer classes, of such an 

 extensive and delightful pleasure-ground, are taken into consideration, no 

 one will be inclined to say that such an expenditure does not merit the 

 most unbounded success, and the deepest public gratitude. Here nature 

 may be viewed in her loveliest garb, the most obdurate heart may be soft 

 ened, and the mind gently led to pursuits which refine, purify, and alleviate 

 the humblest of the toil-worn.&quot; 



t &quot; Few towns, in modern times, have been built with such regard to 

 sanitary regulations, as Birkenhead, and in no instance has so much been 

 done for the health, comfort, and enjoyment of a people, as by those ener 

 getic individuals with whose names the rise and progress of Birkenhead 

 are so intimately connected.&quot; Dr. J. H. Robertson. 



