Equally important is it to remember that the methods of management associated with Octavia Hill are as pertinent for new property as for old—indeed, in some ways more so, for prevention is better than cure. She learnt her secrets in dealing with bad property, just as the scientist wrests his secrets from the pathological. Management of house property on the general lines laid down by her, adapted and developed, and, as I believe, with increasing emphasis on co-operative self-management, will help materially not only in the minor achievement of preventing property from degenerating into slums—and this, as experience shows, may well happen even with good and well-planned property—but in the greater achievement of attaining that higher standard of contentment and of pride of home and locality which should be the aim of all those who have the interests of the country at heart. The following are some papers written by Miss Octavia Hill in connection with her housing work. They are republished in the hope that her methods may be widely adopted in the efforts that are now being made to improve the very defective housing conditions in our cities. M. M. JEFFERY. EDITH NEVILLE. CONTENTS PAGE INTRODUCTION. By I. G. Gibbon, D.Sc., C.B.E., Ministry of Health 5 SELECTIONS FROM OCTAVIA HILL’S WRITINGS I. MANAGEMENT OF HOUSES FOR THE POOR 15 II. COTTAGE PROPERTY IN LONDON 20 III. BLANK COURT 31 IV. THE INFLUENCE OF MODEL DWELLINGS UPON CHARACTER 39 V. SMALL HOUSES IN LONDON 50 VI. LETTERS TO FELLOW-WORKERS 52 OTHER PAPERS VII. WOMEN MANAGERS—A CROWN ESTATE 72 VIII. MANAGEMENT OF MUNICIPAL HOUSES IN AMSTERDAM 78 IX. REPORT ON HOUSE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT BY A SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE WOMEN’S SECTION OF THE GARDEN CITIES AND TOWN PLANNING ASSOCIATION 83 House Property and its Management I MANAGEMENT OF HOUSES FOR THE POOR (1899) Thirty-four years ago, when I first began to manage houses inhabited by working people, London was in a very different state from what it is now, and it is useful and interesting to review the changes, their effects, and their bearing on the special work we are considering to-day.