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 i 6 .- — R. at Gwydyr Hou.se on the 
Health of Towns Commission, from ten till six.’ 
‘ 2jh. — R. to Gwydyr House in the morning. 
Afternoon spent in going over the House of Com- 
rnons with Sir H. de la Beche and Ur. 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 
*tito the health of towns.” I enclose a copy of a 
ttiemorandum sent with the sum received. 
kichard Owen, Esq. 
Amount of remuneration as Commissioner for £. s. d. 
inquiring into the health of towns . . . too 16 o 
Property tax 2 18 10 
97 17 2’ 
S 
VOL. I. 
