Almost groping his way along the streets in semi-darkness, and half choked with the sulphurous surcharge in the atmosphere, this latter-day growler may perhaps be astonished to learn that his complaint is of very old standing, and that long before the days of his great-great-grandfather, in fact more than seven generations ago, this poisoning of the atmosphere with the impurities given off from 'sea-coal' and other combustibles had already come to be looked on by some as a public nuisance.

It will, therefore, interest Londoners in general, and will delight the hearts of Sir William Richmond R.A.and the County Council in particular, to know that their great precursor in this matter of reform nearly 250 years ago considered the question even then one of urgency, admitting of no delay.

How graphic, and how refreshing, is the pithy point thus neatly scored-- 'I propose therefore, that by an _Act_ of this present _Parliament_, this infernal _Nuisance_ be removed.' There is no beating about the bush here, and no mincing of phrases.

The matter is at once probed with the needle.
Evelyn was not merely a rather notable person in the London society of that period.

As a man of science he was one of the most prominent pillars of the then recently founded Royal Society.