Thomas Henry. 121 



lands ; and that cultivation and competency will increase 

 population by removing the obstacles to matrimony, is an 

 axiom the truth of which cannot be disputed.' 



To remove these evils we find that even then they were 

 ' widening and providing for the ventilation of the streets, 

 and that modern houses were made more commodious,' 

 but notwithstanding this, as the town had increased, 

 the proportion of deaths at ages above seventy had de- 

 creased. 



Thus we see in Manchester the struggle against exces- 

 sive disease and death by municipal changes is above a 

 century old, and the battle is still against us. 



The condition of England, as of Europe, was long 

 disturbed, and it is clear from the descriptions we have 

 by Dr. Percival, Dr. White, and their friends, that the 

 activity of men's minds was stirred not merely by physical 

 want or by the imitation of France. The increase of trade 

 and manufactures had been improving the condition of the 

 people, and Manchester specially had begun to advance 

 rapidly, giving opportunity to men to think when they 

 were willing. As their minds became clearer, interrup- 

 tions to their prosperity were more impatiently borne, and 

 so we find that the very increase of intelligence caused 

 misfortune to produce the greater commotions, whenever 

 these interruptions began. We find a time of trial bring- 

 ing poverty and disease, so that the necessity for public 

 action was clear. 



The paper from which quotations have just been made 

 was one of those which influenced strongly that movement 

 which was the beginning of the Board of Health ; and as 

 usual there were opponents, and the men of sense and 

 goodness had to make elaborate explanations like apolo- 



