MODERN DWELLINGS OF THE PEOPLE.
BY H. G. REID,
Author of ' Pasf and Preseitt,' ' L$e of fhc Rev.John Skinner,' tit.
ONE morning in the year 1861, the inhabitants of Edinburgh were startled
by the intimation of an occurrence which left sorrowful memories, redeemed
only by the influence which it had in helping on a great social reform.
During the night a huge pile of old buildings had gven way and fallen,
burying many of the dwellers amidst the ruins. Prompt exertions were made
to remove the dkbrk, and save as many of the unfortunate sufferers as might
be possible, A large space had been almost cleared; the workmen had
mounted the ladder to complete some portion of their dangerous and disagreeable
task, when they heard a voice cry-' Heave awa', chaps, I 'm no
dead yet I" Over an archway in the High Street is carved the figure of the
little hero, and this motto marks the spot. The event aroused much sympathy,
and called attention at once to the defective condition of workmen's
dwellings in Edinburgh, and the efforts that were being made to effect an
improvement. To one movement in particular, which has assumed large
dimensions, and exercised a widely beneficial influence here and elsewhere,
it is our special purpose to call attention.
Various causes had combined to produce the state of matters that
existed, and still unfortunately exists to a large extent, notwithstanding all
that has been done.
Edinburgh, beautiful for situation, and rich in noble and historic buildings,
had long been deficient in respect to the dwellings of the people. In course
of years the Old Town mansions, spacious for their time and purpose, and
picturesque even in their ruins, were deserted by their wealthy occupants, and
converted by a process of partitioning into tenements for the working classes.
