that
refuses to see them.

Again, are not Sanitary Regulations possible for a Legislature?
The old Romans had their Aediles; who would, I think, in direct
contravention to supply-and-demand, have rigorously seen rammed
up into total abolition many a foul cellar in our Southwarks,
Saint-Gileses, and dark poison-lanes; saying sternly, "Shall a
Roman man dwell there?" The Legislature, at whatever cost of
consequences, would have had to answer, "God forbid!"--The
Legislature, even as it now is, could order all dingy
Manufacturing Towns to cease from their soot and darkness; to
let in the blessed sunlight, the blue of Heaven, and become clear
and clean; to burn their coal-smoke, namely, and make flame of
it. Baths, free air, a wholesome temperature, ceilings twenty
feet high, might be ordained by Act of Parliament, in all
establishments licensed as Mills. There are such Mills already
extant;--honour to the builders of them! The Legislature can say
to others: Go ye and do likewise; better if you can.

Every toiling Manchester, its smoke and soot all burnt, ought it
not, among so many world-wide conquests, to have a hundred acres
or so of free greenfield, with trees on it, conquered, for its
little children to disport in; for its all-conquering workers to
take a breath of twilight air in? You would say so! A willing
Legislature could say so with effect. A willing Legislature
could say very many things! And to whatsoever 'vested interest,'
or such like, stood up, gainsaying merely, "I shall lose
profits,"--the willing Legislature would answer, "Yes, but my
sons and daughters will gain health, and life, and a soul."--
"What is to become of our Cotton-trade?" cried certain Spinners,
when the Factory-Bill was proposed; "What is to become of our
invaluable Cotton-trade?" The Humanity of England answered
steadfastly: "Deliver me these rickety perishing souls of
infants, and let your Cotton-trade take its chance. God Himself
commands the one thing; not God especially the other thing. We
cannot have prosperous Cotton-trades at the expense of keeping
the Devil a partner in them!"--

Bills enough, were the Corn-Law Abrogation Bill once passed, and
a Legislature willing! Nay this one Bill, which lies yet
unenacted, a right Education Bill, is not this of itself the sure
parent of innumerable wise Bills,--wise regulations, practical
methods and proposals, gradually ripening towards the state of
Bills? To irradi