brance of the citizens of London, for conferring upon them an inestimable benefit, of which the advantages are not limited to an age, but will probably be perennial.

As the good man, ever sympathizes with his unfortunate brethren, Sir Hugh Myddelton evinced the benevolence of his disposition by providing for their relief, when the grave should have closed the career of his activity in life; for, by his will, he bequeathed a share in the New River to the Goldsmith's Company, directing that the profits should be divided amongst its indigent members, but those of his own name, kindred, and country, to have a preference. This company also possess his portrait, painted by Jansen, which forms one of the decorations of their hall. In the year 1800, Robert Mylne, Esq. the eminent architect of Blackfriar's Bridge, and who was likewise engineer to the New River Company, erected on an islet in the centre of the basin at Amwell, a pedestal with an urn on its summit, as a memorial of Sir Hugh Myddelton's meritorious labours. It is constructed of Portland stone, and the four sides have the following inscriptions:

SOUTH, TO AMWELL SPRING.

Sacred to the Memory of

Sir HUGH MYDDELTON, BARONET,
Whose successful care

Assisted by the patronage of his King,

conveyed this Stream to LONDON:

An immortal Work,

Since Men cannot more nearly

imitate the Deity

Than in bestowing health.

WEST, TO CHADWELL.

From the Spring of Chadwell,
Two miles West;

And from this Source of Amwell;
The Aquæduct meanders

for the space of XL Miles:
conveying

Health, pleasure, and convenience,
to the Metropolis of
Great-Britain.

EAST, TOWARDS LONDON.

This humble Tribute

to the

Genius, talents, and elevation of mind,

Which conceived and executed
this important Aquæduct,
is dedicated by

ROBERT MYLNE,

Architect, Engineer, &c.

A.D. M.D. CCC.

NORTH, CROSS THE VALE OF THE LEA.

M. S.

HUGONIS. MYDELTON, Baronetti.
Qui, aquas hasce feliciter,
Adspirante favore Regio,

in urbem, perducendas, curavit:

Opus Immortale,

Homines enim, ad Deos,—

Nulla re propius, accedunt,

Quam, salutem dando.

53

Various trees and shrubs are planted on the islet where the pedestal stands, and amongst them the weeping willow with its drooping branches, appears conspicuous. The cedar, the cypress, the yew, and other evergreens, surround and cover a tumulus; and besides the above inscriptions there are the following verses, written by the late Archdeacon Nares:

"Amwell! perpetual be thy stream,
Nor e'r thy springs be less,

Which thousands drink who never dream
Whence flows the boon they bless.

"Too often thus ungrateful man,
Blind and unconscious lives,

Enjoys kind Heaven's indulgent plan,
Nor thinks of HIM who gives."

The perusal of Sir Hugh Myddelton's will, has a tendency to prove the incorrectness of some of the statements, commonly made by his biographers, concerning his indigence, after completing the New River, as well as the place of his birth. The latter is ascertained by his bequest of "201. to the poor of Henlan, in the county of Denbigh, where he was born." That he materially diminished the amount of his wealth by attempting to construct the New River at his own expense must be acknowledged; nevertheless, at the time of his decease, he possessed about twenty shares in the concern, beside other property of various kinds; for, to his wife he bequeathed thirteen shares-his house at Bush Hill, Edmonton, with all the furniture, plate, jewels, &c. and to descend to his younger son, Simon, after her death. He had four sons and three daughters:-and to two of the latter he bequeathed each a share, accompanied by legacies of 5007.-to three of his sons also each a share, attaching to one a legacy of 4001.--to another a legacy of

only 1007., "having given him his share during his life." -To one daughter, "who had her full portion on her marriage," he gave only 10l. to buy rings for her and her husband; but to a younger he left 10007., with an additional 9007. on the performance of certain conditions, by her husband's relation, because he was not of age. Nearly twenty legacies were left to others, varying in their sums from 50l. to 51., but the greater number consisted of 30l. and 20%., besides 51. each to every one of his servants, excepting two, who had only 40s. To these bequests may be added, the "one share in the New River to the Goldsmiths' Company, in trust, the profits to be distributed every half year, after the death of his wife, in weekly portions of twelve pence each to the poor of the said company, by the discretion of the wardens for the time being, and especial to the poor of his own name, kindred, and country." He likewise possessed" shares in the Mines Royal in Wales," which he directed "to be sold to pay his debts;" and, "if they did not prove sufficient, then some of the shares or parts of shares in the New River to be sold to make good the deficiency." The date of his will is November 21, 1631; but he did not die till 1636, and at that time the income of the New River property was greatly improving; for, although in 1633, the dividend on each share amounted merely to 31. 4s. 2d., yet, in 1640, it had risen to 331. 2s. 8d.; and in 1680, had increased to 145l. 1s. 8d. Hence, these facts may perhaps justify a conclusion that Sir Hugh Myddelton did not die in very indigent circumstances, whatever misfortunes or privations happened to his family at a subsequent period,

CHAPTER IV.

Advantages of the New River to London. Original cost of its construction. Charter granted to the Company, and powers conferred by it. Commissioners for annually inspecting the condition of the New River. Its length, width, depth, and fall. Number of bridges erected over it. Sources of water for its purposes. Balance engine at the river Lea. Height of reservoirs. Machinery. Boulton and Watts' Steam Engine: its Register. Miles of wooden pipes: their disadvantages. Use of iron pipes adopted: their great strength and efficiency. Extent of district, number of houses, and quantity of water supplied. Steam Engine at Broken Wharf. Situation and dimensions of different reservoirs. Mode of clearing the water before it flows to the cisterns of the inhabitants. Gratuitous offer to supply it for the purposes of free baths. Amount of capital expended in forming and improving the works. Settling reservoirs at Stoke Newington.

THE various facts that have been narrated clearly show that, prior to the construction of the New River, the inhabitants of London experienced serious inconveniences from the defective supply of pure spring water, exclusive of the trouble generally attendant upon the mode of procuring it. Besides, sometimes the deficiency excited serious uneasiness and alarm, from the quantity being quite insufficient for their usual and indispensable wants, which was commonly the case during very dry seasons, and long and severe frosts. When occasions of this kind occurred, the humbler classes became peculiarly exposed to privations and suffering, from their inability to obtain a sufficiency for culinary purposes and domestic beverage; but the forming of that extensive aqueduct rendered a plentiful supply attainable during all seasons, and effectually