[6] Even as I am writing a transformation is being worked in some of the filthiest streets on the East Side by a combination of new asphalt pavements with a greatly improved street cleaning service that promises great things. Some of the worst streets have within a few weeks become as clean as I have not seen them in twenty years, and as they probably never were since they were made. The unwonted brightness of the surroundings is already visibly reflected in the persons and dress of the tenants, notably the children. They take to it gladly, giving the lie to the old assertion that they are pigs and would rather live like pigs. [7] As a matter of fact, I heard, after the last one that caused so much discussion, in a court that sent seventy-five children to the show, a universal growl of discontent. The effect on the children, even to those who received presents, was bad. They felt that they had been on exhibition, and their greed was aroused. It was as I expected it would be. [8] The Sanitary census of 1891 gave 37,358 tenements, containing 276,565 families, including 160,708 children under five years of age; total population of tenements, 1,225,411. [9] The general impression survives with me that the children's teeth were bad, and those of the native born the worst. Ignorance and neglect were clearly to blame for most of it, poor and bad food for the rest, I suppose. I give it as a layman's opinion, and leave it to the dentist to account for the bad teeth of the many who are not poor. That is his business. [10] The fourteenth year is included. The census phrase means "up to 15." [11] The average attendance was only 136,413, so that there were 60,000 who were taught only a small part of the time. [12] See Minutes of Stated Session of the Board of Education, February 8, 1892. [13] Meaning evidently in this case "up to fourteen." [14] Report of New York Catholic Protectory, 1892. [15] If this were not the sober statement of public officials of high repute it would seem fairly incredible. [16] Between 1880 and 1890 the increase in assessed value of the real and personal property in this city was 48.36 per cent., while the population increased 41.06 per cent. [17] Philosophy of Crime and Punishment, by Dr. William T. Harris, Federal Commissioner of Education. [18] Seventeenth Annual Report of Society, 1892. [19] English Social Movements, by Robert Archey Woods, page 196. [20] The Superintendent of the House of Refuge for thirty years wrote recently: "It is essential to have the plays of the children more carefully watched than their work." [21] Report for 1891 of Children's Aid Society. [22] In this reckoning is included employment found for many big boys and girls, who were taken as help, and were thus given the chance which the city denied them.