No. 216.] 399 



England, and straightway the process of reform commenced in them, 

 and continued until the prison system of the present day, has become 

 one of the most striking examples of the spirit of the times. But 

 Chadwick and Du Chatelet, especially the former, are diving still 

 deeper into the subject of moral and physical reform. They are pro- 

 bing to the bottom the foul ulcers upon the body of society, and en- 

 deavoring to discover the causes of so much wretchedness and vice, 

 which fill the prisons aud work-houses. Howard's labor tended to 

 cure the disease, Chadwick's to prevent it. These operations con- 

 stitute a highly important part of the great work of melioration and 

 improvement, in the condition oi mankind, now going on, in nearly 

 all civilized countries, and which characterize the present age. 



If not on a par, in importance, with the improvement in education, 

 which has of late made such rapid strides, it certainly is second only 

 to it, and indeed it may well be questioned, whether improvement in 

 the physical condition of the lower stratum of society, is not a ne- 

 cessary precedent, in order that education of the mind may exercise 

 its full and proper influence over the general well-being. Teach them 

 how to live, so as to avoid diseases and be more comfortable, and 

 then their school education will have a redoubled efl^ect, in mending 

 their morals, and rendering them intelligent and happy. But without 

 sound bodies, when surrounded with dirt, foul air, and all manner of 

 filthy associations, it is vain to expect even the child of education, to 

 be better than his ignorant companions, if indeed you do not, by ed- 

 ucating him, give him an additional weapon, by which he may prey 

 more successfully upon his fellows. 



This country, and especially this city, it is hoped, will not much 

 longer be behind others in this cause of the suffering poor and de- 

 pressed humanity. Some movements, promoting this investigation, 

 have recently been commenced, but much is yet to be done. The 

 path has been pointed out to uS by pioneers across the Atlantic; there 

 is abundant disposition to pursue the object, which only requires to 

 be sought out, and put to work by the authorities, to procure all the 

 desirable results of such labours. 



The system of tenantage to which large numbers of the po,or are 

 subject, I think, must be regarded as one of the principal causes, of 

 the helpless and noisome manner in which they live. The basis of 

 these evils is the subjection of the tenantry, to the merciless inflictions 

 and extortions of the sub-landlord. A house, or a row, or court of 

 houses, is hired by some person of the owner, on a lease of several 



