ings of the poor till this reform takes place; and I do not shrink at all from saying, that I think the proper course for the Government and Parliament to pursue is to invest the Metropolitan Board of Works, and the noble Corporation which presides over the City, with compulsory powers for this purpose, similar to those given to the Corporation of Glasgow. Let me say to any one who distrusts the Metropolitan Board of Works at once:—Suppose they do not exercise these powers wisely, or if they do not exercise them at all,—at the worst, what will be the result? The powers will be ready at hand for those who must be appointed their successors, if they neglect their duties. If the Metropolitan Board of Works, possessing these powers of dealing with this great mischief, do not avail themselves of them, so much the worse for the Board. If they do avail themselves of them, proving in that respect a reforming body so far as their powers extend, I shall be ready to reconsider my distrust of a body, elected as the Board of Works is, and to give them credit for what they have done. It will be a great opportunity for them. If they avail themselves of it, so much the better for them; if they do not, so much stronger will the argument be for that of which I am an advocate—the formation of a real Municipal Government for London. If we give these powers to the Metropolitan Board of Works, and if they do not properly exercise them, we shall be enabling those who may hereafter take their place, if it be necessary some other body should supersede them, we shall be enabling their successors as soon as they come into office to avail themselves of these facilities and do in earnest the good work we wish them to do.
With respect to the necessity of these compulsory powers, I think I have yet one point to show. The Peabody Trustees and the Building Companies and Societies, when they succeed in obtaining land on which to build, are frequently very much hampered for want of power to deal with some buildings adjoining what they acquire.
A remarkable example of the damage done from want of compulsory powers occurred on the southern side of the river. The Trustees of Mr. Peabody acquired from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners at a fair price a large and convenient site, and they erected lofty buildings upon it. There was, however, a strip of miserable property held by several owners and overlooking the Trustees' land, which they took steps to acquire. This property contained a public-house. When the owners found out who wanted their property, they asked prices so
