WORKING TO SOME PURPOSE.
Mn. Casnzus COCHRANE has issued a circular "to the Trades- people, Mechanics, and Operatives of the Metropolis and Country at large," on the "Social Improvements" which it lies within
their own power to effect.
"In explaining to you that the legal power referred to is granted by one act of Parliament passed in 1846, and by four acts passed in August and September 1848, I cannot help observing that the impression is, unfortunately; too general among the trading and industrial classes, that the improvement of their condition is entirely dependent on the extension of political power, and commercial and financial state regulations. In accordance, therefore, with this popular impres- sion, timeand money are lavishly expended in search of political redress, as the only panacea for existing evils; whereas, if the power which the people already possess were only enforced through their local authorities according to existing acts of Parliament, they would derive benefits much greater than those which
they seek to obtain by political agitation. These benefits are of a social kind ;- they relate to the increase of the essential comforts of life—to the promotion of domestic happiness, and the civilization of the people at large."
He proceeds to explain in the most specific terms the powers which parishioners possess under the Metropolitan Sewers Act, City of London Sewers Act, Public Health Act, Public Baths and Washhouses Act, and the Removal of Nuisances Act ; show- ing how parishioners have the power to compel the removal of nuisances, the improvement even of private dwellings, the pre- vention of overcrowding in burial-grounds, &c. Mr. Cochrane refers to the labours of others as well as himself; recommending his readers to view the public washhouses erected in various parts of London and now most extensively used, the improved lodging- houses and. dwelling-houses, and the operation of the " Street Orderly" system, in the parish of St. Paul Covent Garden, which has effected a great improvement in some of the principal thoroughfares. He also tells how pure water is to be obtained cheaply—an unlimited supply at ten shillings a year; and holds out hopes of cheap gas. All this is distinct and specific, and can- not fail very materially to help the classes to whom it is address.. ed. He gives the addresses of the places to be viewed, and of those where information is to be obtained ; offering to supply more, at his own offices, No. 40 Leicester Square. Mr. Cochrane is a good example of what a man may do who takes up a good purpose and sticks to it. He has been proud-. nently before the public, and has not always cut the best of figures ; he has written a foolish book, and-has made a display not wholly to his credit; he has been candidate for Westminster, and managed the matter very maladroitly. But at this subject 'of domestic and parish improvements he -has really worked con amore ; he has it at his finger-ends; he knows what is to be done by powers already existing, and is thus an effective public teach- er; he helps actively in the work, and would do more. With all his faults, there are zeal, heartiness, and a certain workmanlike steadiness about him : his activity is too well directed and well sustained not to accomplish much substantial good, insomuch that considerable numbers of all classes, especially the middle and poorer classes, are likely to owe to that activity no small portion of material comfort. It would not be easy for some more suc- cessful candidates, now sitting in Parliament, to show that they had done as much for their constituents.
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