poor wretch was precisely of the length with the bed. "I am, Sir, yours, &c. "ANTI-PROCRUSTES." The exertions of our fathers in the general improvement of houses and streets have left _us_ little to do. Pure air, so essential to the preservation of life, now circulates freely through the _new_ streets; squares, calculated for ornament, health, and the higher ranks of the community, are judiciously dispersed, and their centres converted into beautiful gardens; the tall houses have a sufficient number of large windows; the areas in front are wide, and handsomely railed with cast iron; lamps on scrollwork are suspended at due distances from each other; and admirable level smooth footways of great breadth protect the passenger from the carts and carriages, separated from him by a curb stone raised several inches above spacious kennels, through which the water from showers passes and descends into large drains, communicating with vast sewers many feet below the level of the street. There are salutary laws providing for the performance of those acts of cleanliness which individuals might neglect or omit. The inmates of every house will of course cleanse the steps leading to it; but they will not _universally_ remove the soil from their pavements. The law commands them to do so _every_ morning under a penalty of 5_s._; and yet there are very few who walk the narrow streets of London in winter can forget the retrograde motion of their feet on the deep mud when the pavements are--_greasy_. Sir William Curtis, when Lord Mayor, recently determined to enforce the law--and very honourably _fined himself_. Scavengers are appointed to sweep the carriage-ways, and carry off the dirt; and yet there are places to be found where brooms have not always done their duty. The publick are very properly forbid to throw any kind of dust into the streets, and are ordered to reserve it for the Dustman, who is enjoined to call for it frequently; and yet I was once informed by a housekeeper that their Parish Dustman had not honoured them with a visit _for six long weeks_. The renters of single rooms, in first, second, and third floors, in mean streets, feel themselves _above_ restraint. Those people empty dirty water mixed with their offals into the gutters, the stench of which is appalling; but I forget, they certainly do not offend against the law--it is _dust_, not _water dirtied_, or mixed with dust and vegetables, which they are forbidden to deposit in the streets. Let me not neglect in this survey the laudable efforts of the Sweepers male and female, who, stationed at corners and crossings, faithfully remove every appearance of soil from the stones for the casual receipt of half-pence. They are undoubtedly an useful body, and they have my commendations accordingly.