TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION F. 705 



there ? My subject is dwellings for the poor, not for superior skilled artisans, and 

 in most parts of Glasgow, where the poorer classes dwell, a healthy and well-trained 

 family is not a possible thing. The rent paid for single-apartment houses is from 

 4/. to 5/., and some 6/. 12*-. a year. Nothing but proper accommodation at similar 

 rents, so paid for hovels, will meet the case or materially lessen the oreat mor- 

 tality. " 



I next take London. The best done there for the poor is as follows: A single 



apartment, bare walls, 10 ft. by 7 ft., accommodatiug one person, quite unventilated, 

 3/. 18«., fifth floor; 5/. l'2.s. lower down ; others, 15 ft. by 12 ft., same discomfort, in 

 which a couple and some children may huddle, 71. 3s. at the high, and 9/. 2s. at 

 the low level. These are the best examples producible of ' model dwellino-s' of a 

 benevolent association ! ! Anything more wretched for model dwellings cannot be 

 imagined. 



In the matter of proper house accommodation, when we come to the abodes of 

 unskilled labourers in all large cities, the relation between supply and demand 

 fails. Tiie enterprise of providing improved houses for the poor is a virgin field 

 in which never a furrow has yet been turned. 



II, The method of cure proposed. The chief points of difficulty are — 



(1) The cost of ground, rendering it inevitable that many such houses 



should be erected in a limited space. 



(2) Providing means, within such space, for due separation and privacy of 



the sexes, together with 



(3) Thorough ventilation, producing continuous renewal of the atmosnhere. 



whilst ^ ' 



(4) Causing no discomfort or danger by draughts. 



(5) Comfortable warmth ; protection from cold in winter. 



(6) Adequate privy accommodation, accessible to women and children. 



A seventh — adequate cubic space — has received great prominence, and legal 

 enactment has prescribed a minimum of 300 cubic feet per adult ; but this measure 

 of adequacy is a dangerous delusion ; the true measure of adequacy is the degree of 

 continuous renewal of the atmosphere, and that is wholly wanting in the existing 

 houses. The system of ventilation already described ' can be efficieiitly adapted, in 

 its essentials, to such houses, adding little or nothing to the cost of erection, and I 

 am prepared to take what cubic space can be got, facing the inevitable. 



The_ first difficulty — cost of ground — is thus removed, so far as mechanical 

 science is concerned, whilst the third and fourth — renewal of the atmosphere with- 

 out draught— have been disposed of; the fifth— comfort and protection from cold 

 — is secured by a variety of simple devices, such as air spaces in the walls, and en- 

 trances from closed and ventilated passages ; and the sLxth — adequate privy accom- 

 modation — is fully met in the plans. The second— due separation and privacy for 

 the sexes, within limited space — is so important as to call here for a little detail. 



The plans proceed on the principle of the state cabin on board ship. Given a 

 bare room, 16 ft. by lift, by 13 ft. high, the door 2 ft. Gin. in middle of 11 ft. 

 end, leaves 4 ft. 3 in. on each side, enclosed bv a partition G ft. from the door, 

 forming two bed-closets or cabins, Gft. by 4 ft. "3 in. by 7 ft. high. The partition 

 is carried up to the ceiling, enclosing another bedchamber, 11 ft. by Gft. by G ft. 

 high. 



The cabins are each fitted with two berths, 6 ft. by 21 in., leaving floor space 

 6 ft. by 2 ft. 6 in., furnished with lockers and seat and cupboard. The bedchamber 

 above has a bed G ft. by 4 ft. and floor spaces G ft. by 6 ft. ::nd 6 ft. by 2 ft., with 

 11 ft. range of lockers and a large cupboard. The space left for the family room i.s 

 1 1 ft. by 9 ft. and 13 ft. high. ^ 



There are numerous other provisions for convenience and comfort, including a 

 cheap economical stove, that burns any slack to white powder, does the cooking, 

 the warming, and the ventilating all at once ; and every other provision has been 



' In my paper on 'The Science of Ventilation as applied to the Interior of Build- 

 ings,' Journal of the Society of Arts, May 31, 1889. 



1889. J5 2 



