Homes of the London Poor (Autobiographical Account)

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Octavia Hill. Homes of the London Poor (Autobiographical Account)

Homes of the London Poor (Autobiographical Account)

Table of Contents

COTTAGE PROPERTY IN LONDON

FOOTNOTES:

ORGANIZED WORK AMONG THE POOR

FOOTNOTE:

BLANK COURT; OR, LANDLORDS AND TENANTS

FOOTNOTES:

THE WORK OF VOLUNTEERS IN THE ORGANIZATION OF CHARITY

FOOTNOTES:

RELIEF—OFFICIAL AND VOLUNTEER AGENCIES IN ADMINISTERING

FOOTNOTES:

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Octavia Hill

An Inspiring Autobiographical Account by a 19th-Century Social Reformer

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The pecuniary success of the plan has been due to two causes. First, to the absence of middlemen; and secondly, to great strictness about punctual payment of rent. At this moment not one tenant in any of the houses owes any rent, and during the whole time, as I have said, the bad debts have been exceedingly small. The law respecting such tenancies seems very simple, and when once the method of proceeding is understood, the whole business is easily managed; and I must say most seriously that I believe it to be better to pay legal expenses for getting rid of tenants than to lose by arrears of rent—better for the whole tone of the households, kinder to the tenants. The rule should be clearly understood, and the people will respect themselves for having obeyed it. The commencement of proceedings which are known to be genuine and not a mere threat is usually sufficient to obtain payment of arrears: in one case only has an ejectment for rent been necessary. The great want of rooms gives the possessors of such property immense power over their lodgers. Let them see to it that they use it righteously. The fluctuations of work cause to respectable tenants the main difficulties in paying their rent. I have tried to help them in two ways. First, by inducing them to save: this they have done steadily, and each autumn has found them with a small fund accumulated, which has enabled them to meet the difficulties of the time when families are out of town. In the second place, I have done what I could to employ my tenants in slack seasons. I carefully set aside any work they can do for times of scarcity, and I try so to equalize in this small circle the irregularity of work, which must be more or less pernicious, and which the childishness of the poor makes doubly so. They have strangely little power of looking forward; a result is to them as nothing if it will not be perceptible till next quarter! This is very curious to me, especially as seen in connection with that large hope to which I have alluded, and which often makes me think that if I could I would carve over the houses the motto, "Spem, etiam illi habent, quibus nihil aliud restat."

Another beautiful trait in their character is their trust; it has been quite marvelous to find how great and how ready this is. In no single case have I met with suspicion or with anything but entire confidence.

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