$6 INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 



domestic economy rfot less than to local malarial influences. The 

 children died in very great nnmbers. We may justly hope that there 

 is not much danger that our city shall obtain the same reputation 

 again or suffer the like experience. The public sanitary measures 

 which have gradually been adopted, have, we may be sure, tended to 

 improve our sanitary character and condition very much. Situated 

 on a fine slope, having a porous soil for the most part, possessing an 

 abundant supply of pure water and a system of drainage, which, 

 although by no means sufficient, will soon, we hope, be both sufficient 

 and complete , having the shade of its numerous trees, Hamilton 

 should be a healthy, pleasant city, and we think it compares favorably 

 with all others in Canada in that respect. Our authorities will have 

 to see to it, now that the very means of our happier condition 

 do not turn to our renewed trouble. Bad water and imperfectly 

 constructed, or choked drains will bring us grief again, and I think 

 we have had, on one or two occasions, a warning that we have some- 

 thing to learn on the subject of the ventilation of drains. 



It seems to be not out of place to allude to agencies existing 

 amongst us, most beneficial to both physical and moral health. I 

 mean the benevolent associations of the city. Those are well or- 

 ganized, and by their means the whole town is systematically visited, 

 those who are really indigent are discovered ; their sufferings ascer- 

 tained, and their wants relieved — comfort is assured to many aged 

 persons, and protection and instruction to great numbers of the 

 young. Indeed with respect to the young, there seems some danger 

 of benificence being carried to an excess and of some of them 

 becoming accustomed to a degree of comfort and consideration, which, 

 according to the experience of most of us, is not to be met with in 

 our working world. We may suppose that the little evil here pointed 

 out will cure itself, and in the meantime the charitable institutions 

 are in every aspect of them worthy of support, and of active interest 

 on the part of all. 



So far, we have spoken of causes of disease from which it is 

 possible to suppose that we might succeed in freeing ourselves entirely, 

 temperance and fresh air being our agencies. We will now speak 

 of those from which perhaps we may never be able to deliver our- 

 selves by our utmost care, but we may so modify or weaken them 

 in one way or other, as that the troubles which they originate 



