Londen Pub by Simpkin, Marshall &C. March 25 1835

AN HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT

OF

THE WATER WORKS OF LONDON,

AND

THE CONTRIVANCES FOR SUPPLYING OTHER GREAT CITIES,

IN DIFFERENT AGES AND COUNTRIES.

BY WILLIAM MATTHEWS,

Author of "The History of Gas Lighting," &c.

LONDON:

SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, AND CO., STATIONERS' HALL COURT.

1835.

WILLIAM HENRY COX,

3, GREAT QUEEN STREET, LINCOLN'S-INN-FIELDS.

PREFACE.

WATER is so essential both to the animal and vegetable creation, either for aliment or other purposes, that its importance probably surpasses every other substance amongst the great exuberance bestowed by the beneficent Author of Nature. The health, comfort, and enjoyment of mankind constantly require a plentiful supply, and therefore, if utility be a just criterion of value, the inventions and operations to furnish it readily and abundantly, in a clear and salubrious state, would seem to be entitled to peculiar attention.

Signally important and extensively beneficial to the community, as are the great establishments for supplying water, correct information concerning them is strikingly limited. For although numerous and capacious conduits beneath the surface of our streets, with their ramifications, convey water to the loftiest residences, adequate to all the wants and emergencies of populous cities, yet comparatively few persons have a slight degree of knowledge of the ingenious means employed to afford such advantages. Hence, no work having heretofore appeared in our language, peculiarly devoted to describing the principal contrivances devised in different ages, and various countries, for effecting these purposes, it is the aim of the following publication to supply the defect, by an assemblage of facts, displaying the multifarious efforts to apply the resources of science, and the powers of art, to realize an object of the highest utility to society.

The institutions of this nature, at present existing in Great Britain, have probably occasioned the expenditure of twenty millions of money; and during the last five

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years in almost every session of Parliament, applications have been made from different places for Acts, either to authorize the construction of new works, or the improvement of others previously constructed. This subject did not elude the consideration of the sagacious Dr. Benjamin Franklin, who constantly aimed at rendering his talents and attainments subservient to the welfare of humanity. Hence, among the different laudable objects enumerated in his will, for employing a portion of that property, which he bequeathed to accumulate, with a view to its subsequent expenditure for effecting several great public benefits, the construction of water-works to supply the City of Philadelphia was particularly specified.

London, Edinburgh, and various other places in this country, have long possessed some rather peculiar advantages in the practice of supplying water to their residents; but singular as the fact may appear, similar efficient plans have not hitherto been introduced to supply common wants, or extraordinary exigences, in the principal cities on the continent of Europe. At an era distinguished for promptitude in adopting improvements, such a circumstance may excite surprise, because even at a late period, taste and genius have been exercised in contriving superb fountains, and constructing other works to effect the same purpose. This remark particularly applies to Paris; but from the science, labour, and expense recently bestowed upon a very comprehensive project, it is probable that in the course of a few years, its residents will be amply and skilfully supplied.

Pre-eminent as our nation may be for magnificent and useful enterprizes, as well as for contrivances conducing to domestic and social convenience, nevertheless the paucity of our structures, for the salutary and pleasurable exercise of bathing, is remarkable. The devices of other nations and ages for this purpose, exhibit much varied ingenuity:-those of ancient Rome and Alhambra in Spain, excite wonder and admiration; but in modern