r. I have added to this section,
'And, for the purpose of promoting health and better ventilation, it
is provided, that all window-lights or casements, not being between
the outside brick or stone reveals of greater dimensions than one
foot wide and three feet high, shall not be assessed to the window
duties, whether the same be glazed or not, provided the room or
appurtenance is not used for a sleeping or dwelling apartment.'"

_Viscount Sandon_. This is not for inhabited cellars? No, it is to
promote the ventilation of any part that is not an inhabited room;
larders and cellars and out-appurtenances of houses. I used to put
in the buildings I am now erecting what are termed lancet lights, for
the ventilating the cellars, larders, &c.; and, previous to the late
survey, these lancet lights were never taken; but so stringent were
the orders from the tax-board on the late survey, that if they found
a gimlet-hole they would take it.

_Chairman_. Were they glazed?--Yes.

If they were not glazed, but made of wire, how would that be?--Then
they can take them, unless the word 'Dairy' or 'Cheese-room' is
written over them; I have now been obliged to reduce three of those
lancet lights, and do not get the ventilation. It is as much or more
concern to the poor than it is to the rich, that they should have a
proper ventilation; and there have been many windows stopped up
(which ought not to have been taken) in consequence of the recent
survey, and which I am sure the Legislature never intended should be
taken."

But, in addition to these indirect methods for improving buildings, it is
surely not beyond our legislative ability to devise some very simple
regulations, at least of that kind which are to have a prospective
application. I do not like to speak confidently about the merits of the
Government Bill, introduced this session, because it requires so much
technical knowledge to judge of these matters; but the main provisions
for back-yards or open spaces attached to dwelling houses, and for the
areas to lowermost rooms, appear to me well considered. This Bill
applies only to the metropolis. The working, however, of local
improvement Acts may afford the best kind of evidence to prepare a
general measure upon. When the subject was considered in Committee in
1842, the Corporation of London sent a witness who showed that if a