Children's Employment Commission, Mines and Collieries. Improvement in the condition of women working therein. Report on Trades and Manufactures. Homes of eastern dispensary patients. "Sanatorium" founded. Letters from Charles Dickens. First model dwellings founded. Life at Highgate. My recollections of first "Health of Towns Association" Meeting. Feeling of public men [72]
CHAPTER VII.
THE TEN YEARS' STRUGGLE FOR SANITARY REFORM, 1838-1848.
Causes of delay. History of the sanitary movement at this time a series of inquiries and defeated bills. "Health of Towns Association" founded to spread knowledge and guide legislation. Address to the working classes calling upon them to petition Parliament. Final passing of the Public Health Act [102]
CHAPTER VIII.
OFFICIAL LIFE—GENERAL BOARD OF HEALTH, 1848-1854.
Appointment to the General Board of Health. Letter to Lord Morpeth. Work at Whitehall with Lord Ashley and Mr Chadwick. Cholera epidemic of 1848-49. System of "house-to-house visitation." Lord Brougham's comments on it. Cholera Report. Quarantine Report. Interment Report. Attacks on the Board in Parliament. Fear of centralisation. Triumph of the sanitary principle, but to be carried out by local authorities. Lord Palmerston's letter of thanks [127]
CHAPTER IX.
RETIREMENT FROM PUBLIC LIFE—ST GEORGE'S HILL, WEYBRIDGE, 1854-1860.
"The Pines," Weybridge. Happiness in its beauty. Need of rest. Study of modern physiology for new edition of the 'Philosophy of Health.' Publication of 'Results of Sanitary Improvement.' Lectures in Edinburgh on "Epidemics." Visit to Alnwick. Happiness in the work of his granddaughters Miranda and Octavia Hill. Appreciation of former fellow-labourers. "Recognition." His words of thanks. Joy in the success of his great cause [139]