Why is it almost impossible to get decent dwellings for the poor built in London? Because it does not pay. In one form or another, the money question is at the bottom of every difficulty which besets the subject. If, therefore, public opinion is in favour of a general improvement in the dwellings of the poor, it must also be in favour of spending public money in order to effect it. Without the support of public opinion, it is unjust to expect local authorities to undertake liabilities which must add seriously to the burden of taxation, and are certain to be distasteful to a large class of the ratepayers. The best advice which can be offered on this question at this time is that which Don Quixote gave to Sancho Panza: "Publish few edicts, but let them be good, and, above all, see that they are well observed, for edicts that are not kept are the same as not made."-Quarterly Review, January, 1884: "Dwellings of the Poor." This "better housing" of the poor is a more difficult subject than those who are disgusted at the saddening sight of the miserable homes of a large mass of the people are apt to imagine; the wretched dwelling is only one cause of the misery that exists, and if removed, would only temporarily get rid of the disease, we shall only remove the symptoms, without getting rid of the cause. To permanently benefit the working class, we must get them to lead different lives; we must get into their brains a desire for better surroundings; they would soon find healthier dwellings if the desire existed within them. "But they cannot afford to pay higher rents," it is said. This I emphatically deny; they can, but they must use more wisely the result of their industry. Is it not a saddening reflection, that