GLANCING BACK. 201 



would be far greater than they actually are, but for the 

 large proportion of time which they spend in the open 

 air. There is recuperating force in pure air, and a large 

 resort to it makes great amends for shorter periods 

 of subjection to a vitiated atmosphere. 



The result of the 1868-9 inquiry of the Commissioner 

 who investigated the condition of things in Devonshire 

 was to reveal a state of things, as regards dwellings, very 

 similar to that existing in Dorset and Wilts. Excep- 

 tionally good dwellings were found on a few estates ; 

 but they were merely the exception which is said to 

 /prove a rule. The general verdict was unsatisfactory. 

 Overcrowding was largely prevalent ; and the two- 

 roomed cottage there, as elsewhere in the south-western 

 counties, largely abounded. There was found to be a 

 general want of comfort : " cob " building, bad lighting 

 arrangements and draught iness, warped and badly-hung 

 doors, and ill-fitting casements. As to evidence from 

 reliable persons of these general averments, none could 

 be more trustworthy than that of Canon Girdlestone, who, 

 writing from the district of Devon, Halberton, where 

 he had commenced his work of peasant migration, said 

 to the Commissioner : 



" Many so-called cottages are mere ruinous hovels. In 

 visiting the sick I am often obliged to take great care that 

 my legs do not go through the holes in the floor of the 

 sleeping-room to the room below. Some of the cottages 

 are conveniently situated with regard to the work and 

 some are not. Few have more than two bedrooms ; many 

 have only one. They are overcrowded with the family ; 

 the rooms are small, low, and badly ventilated ; the drain- 

 age is bad ; the water supply is usually good ; the gardens 

 good ; the outhouses bad, and generally without doors. 

 No progress is being made towards increasing cottage 

 accommodation." 



This particular report upon the condition of things 

 in Devon for the remarks were quite of general 

 application affords incidentally a striking illustration 

 of flaws which nature remedies and of those which arise 



