Joseph Bazalgette; the early years

The transcript provides a historical perspective on life in 19th century London, focusing on the narrator's early life, the decline in urban life expectancy, high infant mortality rates, and the impact of unplanned urbanization. It highlights the severe sanitation issues faced by the population, with a notable quote from Anglican cleric Sidney Smith on water contamination, illustrating the dire living conditions of the time.

What did Sidney Smith imply about the quality of water during that time?

What was the population of London during the time described in the text?