The southern area (where the laundry was situate) was, it had been discovered, built upon a swamp, and was in a highly unsanitary condition.

Careful housewives naturally objected to sending their washing into such a neighbourhood.
"Other troubles had also come.

The baby--Josiah's pet, the one bright thing in his life--had fallen into the copper and been boiled.

Hannah's mother had been crushed in the mangle, and was now a helpless cripple, who had to be waited on day and night.
"Under these accumulated misfortunes Josiah had sought consolation in drink, and had become a hopeless sot.

He felt his degradation keenly, and wept copiously.