IMPROVEMENT IN DWELLINGS. 279 



the indications of improvement. The vicar of Burring- 

 ton, writing to us in reference to the adjoining parish 

 of Wrington, confirmed what has been previously stated 

 in this volume, that a noble duke admitted to a friend 

 of the present writer that his grace's knowledge of the 

 wretched and insanitary conditions of some of his own 

 cottages was first derived from reading our former 

 description of them, and that he had immediately 

 ordered them to be repaired. Alluding to the former 

 bad condition of these same cottages, he remarked : 



" This state of things has now been rectified at consider- 

 able cost ; and I understand the health of the inhabitants 

 has proportionately improved." 



From the isolated and remote district of Wootton 

 Courtney, already referred to, came a communication 

 from the vicar, who said : 



" The houses vary much, but a general improvement has 

 undoubtedly taken place, especially in the case of estates 

 owned by resident landlords, and of those who take an 

 interest in the welfare of the labourers." 



Finally, from an extensive agricultural district in the 

 Vale of Taunton came the following communication : 



" The cottages so far as I know are all in a fair state of 

 repair, and generally consist of a roomy kitchen and wash- 

 house, or back kitchen on the ground floor, and always two, 

 and frequently three, fair-sized bedrooms on the first floor. 

 Most of these cottages, having small flower gardens in front, 

 present a neat and comfortable appearance, whilst their 

 interiors, at least downstairs, are generally fully furnished 

 with necessary articles for daily use, and there is often some 

 attempt at ornament the flower-pot being a noticeable 

 feature, as well as picture frames, either for prints or for 

 family portraits. Overcrowding is of rare occurrence (at 

 least overcrowding in the usual form), and I know of but 

 one or two attempts to overcrowd cottages ; and these have 

 been speedily checked by the relieving officer of the district. 

 Indeed, only in one family have persistent attempts been 

 made to lodge too many people." 



It is very gratifying to note that, as already inti- 

 mated, and in spite of dark touches, the hand of improve- 



