be the means of conveying it to Clapham; and thence by iron main pipes to the Lambeth, South London, and Southwark Water Works. The estimated cost of this scheme was 391,875l. 48. 11d., making the expense of realizing both plans, 1,177,8407. 16s. 5d.; but although so nearly calculated, even to odd pence, probably double the sum would not liquidate the cost of executing works of such magnitude.

Another important consideration relating to these projects, consisted in the pecuniary means, which it was proposed the government should advance, and the Water Companies charged with the interest. Besides, it also embraced the appointment of a "Parliamentary Commission to manage the whole, in order that the necessary works may be performed in a satisfactory manner, and that the water may be correctly supplied in quantity and quality to each company." Mr. Telford, however, seemed to entertain doubts whether the supply to be afforded by incurring such an enormous expense, and having the costly appendages of a Parliamentary Commission, may not prove unsatisfactory; and therefore he concludes with observing that, "until the public have, by experience, acquired a perfect confidence in the quantity, quality, and regularity of the pure water supply, the communication with the river (Thames) ought to be preserved, but not used, unless necessity for so doing should occur!”

Though the New River and East London Works were excluded from his scheme, Mr. Telford made some remarks on their condition and capabilities. As the Amwell spring "had abandoned the New River, and now finds its way into the Lea," he suggested that "an old branch of the River Lea, at present not in use, should be transferred to the New River Company, who should be

required to embank and enlarge it, to not less than twenty acres, and convert it into a settling reservoir, upon which the pumping engines should be placed,—the engines to be capable of raising two-thirds of their whole supply. This additional quantity thrown directly into the reservoirs at Newington, would have the advantage of being in the vicinity of the city, and create no further expense of conduit, or other conveyance." If this plan were carried into effect, the Company were to be required "to rebuild the lock at Tottenham Mill, as well as to keep it in repair, and also to pay a fair and reasonable sum to the trustees of the River Lea Navigation to be expended in deepening the river where found necessary.” Various other improvements of the New River were likewise enumerated, for instance, "fencing each side of it in a proper manner, to prevent cattle treading down its banks, persons bathing in it, and creating other nuisances." He also stated that "the Company should have the power of summary punishment of trespassers on conviction before magistrates;" and that "Parliamentary Commissioners should be appointed to decide any differences which may arise among parties interested in the supply and purity of the water to prevent expensive litigation."*

With regard to the East London Water Works, Mr. Telford states, that recently "upwards of 50,000l. have been expended in improvements for ensuring a better supply of pure water, which are on the eve of completion; and these had been effected without the Company having the power of imposing additional rates or charges on their customers." He further affirms, that "a personal inspection of the Water Works at Old Ford," convinced

• The New River Company have since applied (in 1835) for an Act of Parliament, to enable them to effect these and other purposes.

him of their efficiency, and that any suggestions from him "had been anticipated."

The above is a fair outline of Mr. Telford's plans, and a faithful abstract of the principal points in his Report, which, on the 12th of May, 1834, were referred to the consideration of a Select Committee of the House of Commons, on a motion made by Sir Francis Burdett. As the subject occupied their attention during the remaining part of the session, and the proceedings have since been printed by an order of the House, a summary view of the most striking parts of the evidence, will enable any candid person to decide whether the chief aim of some professedly zealous and patriotic personages was really "the better supplying the whole of the metropolis with pure and wholesome water," or to procure a lucrative job for themselves, at an enormous expense to the public!

From the apparent solicitude of Sir F. Burdett to employ Mr. Telford, many persons would naturally infer that his primary object was really to procure from that engineer a scheme displaying so much thought, ingenuity, science, and skill, as to surpass all the previous contrivances for supplying water to a great city. Incredible, however, as it may appear, he neither entertained such a notion, nor intended Mr. Telford to be employed, notwithstanding his frequent and urgent solicitations to that effect, as well as for thousands of the public money to pay him for his labours! This fact is attested by himself, in the following most remarkable declaration to the Committee-" I considered Mr. Telford's name was the main thing that was necessary, and that he should confirm and approve; but my reliance was always on Mr. Mills!"-"For five or six years Mr. Mills was the person whom I had always referred to, and always applied to!" "I considered Mr. Mills was most essential to me, in