60 Literary and Philosophical Society. 



cities and unfortunately carries some good men among 

 them. It requires to be proved that the system is in- 

 separable from our nature. 



The long struggle for a house of recovery resulted 

 in success it is true, but the question in some new or wider 

 form has risen again and again as population has increased, 

 and we have not yet arrived visibly nearer to satisfaction, 

 although we are probably much nearer. As it is curious to 

 find that the old discussion last century in Manchester, ' Is 

 the House of Recovery a nuisance ? ' rose but lately in 

 London, so it is strange to find Lord Mansfield's opinion 

 of a nuisance quoted in these Manchester reports, although 

 still older, scarcely yet recognised. Speaking of an offensive 

 smell, he is quoted as saying, ' It is not necessary that the 

 smell should be unwholesome ; it is enough if it renders 

 the enjoyment of life and property uncomfortable,' and this 

 meaning we are only arriving at, having it perverted by 

 our determination to follow reasoning only which goes in 

 narrow lines instead of the broad common sense which 

 guides even animals very inferior to ourselves. Our subtle 

 reasoning certainly drives us far wrong, when it neglects 

 our instincts. 



The mode in which sanitary ideas were recommended 

 to be carried out is seen in the second volume of the Society's 

 Memoirs, p. 501, and if we can greatly improve on it now 

 I fear we have not done so. Yet there are some curious 

 points, and especially the fumigation with tobacco, admired 

 then by some of the medical men, which we can scarcely 

 agree to. 



The Medical Board advises nervous persons to be careful 

 in entering cotton works or mills, or in visiting mines, 

 caverns, stoves, hospitals, or prisons. Houses and works 



