Report on the condition of the poorer classes of Edinburgh and of their dwellings, neighbourhoods, and families : prepared by order of a public meeting of the inhabitants, held in the Council Chamber, under the presidency of The Right Honourable the Lord Provost, on the 15th April 1867, and adopted and ordered to be published, at a meeting held on the 28th of February 1868.

Date:: 1868

Credit: Report on the condition of the poorer classes of Edinburgh and of their dwellings, neighbourhoods, and families : prepared by order of a public meeting of the inhabitants, held in the Council Chamber, under the presidency of The Right Honourable the Lord Provost, on the 15th April 1867, and adopted and ordered to be published, at a meeting held on the 28th of February 1868. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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] ilied. They have hitherto usually proved a pecuniary success. . For the man who works far from home, for single men and lodgers, such places are most desirable. Without them they must either have a cold and indigestible dinner, keep a child from school to briug them one from the house, or dine in the in vera, where they are tempted to remain drinking, or to return in the evening to finish their carouse. C. Penny readings and music might occasionally diversify his recreations. D. Gardens and Floioers.—A village for working meu would have its gardens and its flower shows, and we are glad to see flower shows even for the neglected population of our city have been commenced, and have proved very successful in Edinburgh. The rooms we have spoken of could be utilised in the day-time, by making them play-rooms or infant schools for the younger children, who would else be running uncared for in the closes. There, under the charge of some discreet and kindly female, they could have all their amusement, and learn besides a little of the virtue of self control. Let an effective agency pervade these neglected masses, let it make itself acquainted with their wants, their tastes, and their habits, and innumerable opportunities will arise of bet- tering their condition, and of assisting them to assist them- selves. Neglect this duty a few years longer, and the rapidly increasing extent of the evil will render hopeless all efforts to overtake it. Already the frightful increase of the assessment for the poor, without any apparent mitigation of the evils of poverty, is alarming all thoughtfid men, and earnestly demands the fullest enquiry. If the plans recommended by your Com- mittee are likely to be found here, as they have been found elsewhere, to be economical and successful, surely it were folly not to give them a trial. Sorrow and suffering, and vice and crime are not necessarily the lot of any, and should, as far as possible, be removed from all. Wide as is the gulf that is placed between your palatial

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