1845 OWEN AND THE LABOURING CLASSES 257 



them to be older than our New Red, or, at most, 

 the Magnesian Conglomerates which contain our 

 thecodont reptiles.' 



Owen was still acting as Commissioner on the 

 health of towns, and this year issued his report 

 on the sanitary condition of Lancaster. This 

 Commission work frequently took up the best 

 part of a day, as the following entries will show : — 



'January 16. — R. at Gwydyr House on the 

 Health of Towns Commission, from ten till six.' 



1 25M. — R. to Gwydyr House in the morning. 

 Afternoon spent in going over the House of Com- 

 mons with Sir H. de la Beche and Dr. Reid in 

 order to see about the best mode of lighting, &c.' 



Owen received 100/. remuneration for his 

 services as Commissioner, and what he did with 

 it is best seen from a letter which he wrote to 

 Lord Ashley : — 



' In response to your Lordship's appeal in aid 

 of the undertakings of the Society for Improving 

 the Condition of the Labouring Classes, I beg to 

 be permitted to contribute to the funds of the 

 Society the amount of the remuneration which I 

 have received as " Commissioner for inquiring 

 into the health of towns." I enclose a copy of a 

 memorandum sent with the sum received. 



Richard Owen, Esq. 



Amount of remuneration as Commissioner for £ *■ d. 



inquiring into the health of towns . . . 100 16 o 



Property tax 2 18 10 



97 17 2' 

 VOL. I. S 



