two or three of the epidemic diseases, notably scarlet fever, measles,
and whooping cough, would assert themselves, and, though limited
in their diffusion by the sanitary provisions for arresting their
progress, would claim a considerable number of victims.

With these last facts clearly in view, I must be careful not to claim
for my model city more than it deserves; but calculating the mortality
which would be saved, and comparing the result with the mortality
which now prevails in the most favoured of our large English towns, I
conclude that an average mortality of eight per thousand would be the
maximum in the first generation living under this salutary _régime_.
That in a succeeding generation Mr. Chadwick's estimate of a possible
mortality of five per thousand would be realised, I have no reasonable
doubt, since the almost unrecognised, though potent, influence of
heredity in disease would immediately lessen in intensity, and the
healthier parents would bring forth the healthier offspring.

As my voice ceases to dwell on this theme of a yet unknown city of
health, do not, I pray you, wake as from a mere dream. The details
of the city exist. They have been worked out by those pioneers of
sanitary science, so many of whom surround me to-day, and specially
by him whose hopeful thought has suggested my design. I am, therefore,
but as a draughtsman, who, knowing somewhat your desires and
aspirations, have drawn a plan, which you in your wisdom can modify,
improve, perfect. In this I know we are of one mind, that though the
ideal we all of us hold be never reached during our lives, we shall
continue to work successfully for its realisation. Utopia itself is
but another word for time; and some day the masses, who now heed us
not, or smile incredulously at our proceedings, will awake to our
conceptions. Then our knowledge, like light rapidly conveyed from one