wheels kept in constant motion, whenever the tides were flowing either up or down the river. One wheel communicated motion to sixteen pumps, and their cranks were arranged for four of them to work alternately, so that each set might draw its supply of water from the cistern in succession. Thus a comparatively small quantity of water only was conveyed into another inclosed square cistern, placed above the valves, and nearly parallel with the tops of the cylinders, and likewise connected with the pumps by bent pipes, having flanches; therefore, whenever the pistons of the pumps ascended, the water was forced along the bent pipes into the upper cistern, from which a large pipe conducted it to supply the houses. The latter pipe had an horizontal direction for some length, and then another was fixed to it, having a slight ascent, so as to form a very small angle; and these were fitted with valves to prevent the return of the water. One turn of all the wheels occasioned the whole of the pumps to make 114 strokes, and when the tide flowed quickly, it produced six revolutions in one minute, thus the total number of strokes in that short time amounted to 684, which raised 1954 hogsheads of water in one hour. Mr. Beighton suggested some improvements, and stated that such was the power of the machinery, that it would enable an ordinary man to raise fifty tons weight.

Besides the projects of Russel and Morice, as already noticed, another remarkable one appeared at that epoch. “An Italian, named Frederick Genebelli, also propounded an invention to the Lord Burghleigh for waterworks for London, Anno, 1591, which should benefit the City two ways. First to cleanse the filthy ditches round about the City, such as Houndsditch, Fleet-ditch, &c. and to bring in the room of this filth, plenty of wholesome clear water, for the use of the inhabitants. Secondly,

to be an expedient for the speedier, and more effectual quenching of houses on fire, whereby twenty-five or thirty persons should do more than three hundred otherwise. And this Italian prayed the Lord Burghleigh to make known to the Queen on his behalf."* Though such obvious advantages were stated to be the result of this project if it should be realized, yet no particular description of it remains to show by what means the various purposes would be effected.

In 1594, with the view of supplying the western part of the City, a large horse-engine was erected within a short distance of Blackfriars-bridge, at Broken Wharf, by Bevis Bulmar. This machine gave motion to four pumps, and the conduit pipes immediately connected with them were made of very thick lead, with a large diameter. The expense attendant upon the operations of this concern being much greater in proportion to the supply than that of the other establishments, the proprietors were unable to furnish water at the same moderate rates, and therefore the want of encouragement occasioned the discontinuance of the works. Their site is now possessed by the New River Company; and whilst making the excavations, preparatory to the erection of their steam-engine, at a certain depth, the discovery was made of a large cistern, with its wooden trough communicating with the river. Various large and heavy leaden pipes, formerly employed in the above works, have likewise been discovered; and their weight amounted to many tons.

These statements afford cogent evidence, that, in the period referred to, when an important object gave the stimulus, there was no deficiency of projectors to propose plans for benefiting the inhabitants of the metropolis;

* Stow's Survey, Ed. 1633,

though inferior to the number distinguishing later times, with purposes and schemes almost infinitely various, as well as enormously expensive. Among those, however, which were successively devised during that era, one may be contemplated with peculiar satisfaction, because its utility has since been extensively experienced. The author of the subsequent narrative seems to have written it under the influence of very strong and indignant feelings. "Next to the conduit water, was that famous (and never-to-be-forgotten) New River, brought from Chadwell and Amwell by the onely care, cost, and liberal expenses of one worthy man,-Master Hugh Middleton, Citizen and Goldsmith of London, deserveth to be recorded in everlasting remembrance.

"I spare here to speak of the length of time such an intent was in talking of, like much good matter wellmotioned, though little minded, long debated, but never concluded, till courage and resolution lovingly shook hands together, as it appears in the soule of this (no way to be daunted) well-minded gentleman.

"For if those Enemies of all good Endeavours, Danger, Difficulty, Impossibility, Contempt, Scorne, Derision, yea, and Desperate Despight, could have prevailed, by their accursed and malevolent interposition, either before, at the beginning, in the very birth of the proceeding, or in the least stolne advantage of the whole prosecution, this Worke, of so great worth, had never been accomplished.

The severity which pervades the preceding remarks, would seem to indicate, and certainly leads to the inference, that the scheme for constructing the New River aqueduct was strenuously and invidiously opposed, when it was first attempted to be carried into effect; but whe

Stow, Ed. 1633.

ther the hostility to its being realized proceeded from ignorance, a conflict of interests, or other causes, there are not any satisfactory means of ascertaining. However, one important consequence of its accomplishment is obvious; for it has occasioned the discontinuance of nearly the whole of the principal contrivances by which London was, in former periods, supplied with water.

In 1641 a Mr. Forde proposed a plan for bringing a navigable river from Rickmansworth, in Harfordshire, to St. Gyles in the Fields; and although some of its professed purposes were the conveyance of corn, timber, and other commodities to the London market, yet its principal and avowed object was to afford a larger and better supply of water to the inhabitants of London. It is also remarkable that among the various reasons assigned for this attempt, the most cogent was the muddiness of the Middleton waters. Thus it appears that at this early period of the New River Company's operations, those who ventured to become their competitors, adopted the practice of defaming the quality of the water supplied, in order to excite notice and obtain support for their own projects.

The scheme of Mr. Forde had likewise its opponents, and among them was a Sir Walter Roberts, who about the same time, brought forward another plan of his own. A principal feature of this project consisted in the construction of a close conduit or aqueduct with brick or stone, to convey water from Hoddesdon in Hertfordshire to Islington, where it was to be received into a conserve, or reservoir, in order to supply the inhabitants with pure soft water. However, no evidence remains of any attempt being made to realize either of the above projects, although both were accompanied with a flattering display of the pecuniary, as well as other advantages, which would infallibly result from their accomplishment. The

citizens of London being then neither so numerous nor so wealthy as in later times, and perhaps less inclined to engage in large speculations, the plans received but little countenance from the public; and were therefore probably abandoned from the want of the large sum of money necessary for carrying them into effect.

In the year 1691, water-works were constructed for supplying a part of Westminster; and the persons who engaged in this undertaking obtained an Act of Parliament for incorporating them by the designation of "The Governor and Company of Undertakers for raising Thames' water in York Buildings." The establishment was situate on the bank of the river, contiguous to the Strand, at the bottom of Villiers-street, under which their principal cistern or reservoir extended. These works conveyed water as far as Piccadilly, Whitehall, and Covent Garden, with the intervening streets; but the greatest number of houses that at any time received a supply from this concern was about 2700.

The original number of shares consisted of eightyfour, at 1007. each, making a capital of 84007.; but this sum, proved inadequate to the attainment of their object, and after contending with difficulties till June, 1734, the company issued 242 bonds for various sums, amounting altogether to 13,0531. 18. 3d. at three per cent., for the purpose of paying certain creditors. In 1746, the proprietors discontinued to manage the water-works as a company, but let them on a lease for twenty-one years, at an annual rent of 2501., and renewable at the expiration of that term. Subsequently they were leased for a term of ninety-nine years, from Midsummer, 1767, for the same annual rent. In 1810, the number of shares was increased to 750, of 1007. each; but in 1812, even this last number was doubled by the persons, who had

D