The Sun.
London, England, 1849-12-12 00:00:00

THE SEWAGE QUESTION.

SUPJECIS THAT MAY BE woßTny OF ATTEN-
TION IN CONSIDERING PLANS OR SYSTEMS
FOR THE GENERAL SEWERAGE OF THE ME-
TROPOLIS.
The oldy objects of the Commission are—
First—To rid the metropolis of the noxious sewer-
age matter, and of the drainage watei-s, efficiently as
regards health and convenience.

Secondly—To effect this object with the least pos-
sible delay. The Commissioners consequently have
nothing to do with the application of the matter to
manure, except so far as it may be combined with
saving of expense to them in carrying out their pri-
mary object.
Thus they have no right to enter into any proceed-
ings for its application for manure that is to increase,
the aggregate amount of their outlay in the smallest
degree.
The general benefit to the country may be of
hundreds of thousands of pounds, or a million an-
nually ; but if the cost to the metropolitan ratepayers
is only of a few hundreds of pounds to gain that ad-
vantage, the Commissioners would not be justified in
incurring it.
Such an extraneous object must in that case be
taken up by others, to whom, no doubt, it would be
the duty of the Commissioners to give every facility.

But if it can be clearly proved that the extra cost
of a system for its collection and distribution as
manure, with equal advantage to health and conveni-
ence, would be remunerative, or even unattended with
loss, it would be decidedly the duty of the Commis-
sion to adopt that course, as uniting a great national
advantage with their more peculiar charge.
Such a proceeding could, however, only be justified
on clear undisputed proof, founded on experience, and
not on speculative calculations.
It will probably be admitted by every one that an
efficient system of sewerage is only to be obtained by
an abundant flushing of water, from the very houses
and first receptacles down to the final outlet and dis-
position of the products, and that this is incompatible
with any system of nail-pits.
This condition would at once put an end to many
of the projects for the conversion of the matter into
manure, viz , those which have for their basis the
procuring of it in a more substantial form ; and leaves
to be dealt with only those in which it is calculated
upon being obtained where collected in that diluted
state.

The quantity of water for this purpose will be very
large, and it becomes a question of importance how it
is to be provided.
There is no self-supplying stream from a more
elevated level available ; it must, therefore, be raised
mechanically, and from some ample source.
The Thames is at hand for the purpose in never-
failing quantity, standing higher, and consequently
requiring a less lift, than any other source that could
be resorted to, and of a quality good enough for this
particular object.
The mechanical means of raising it will be
economized by adapting the heights of the receptacles
for it to the levels, which will be just sufficient
service, of the elevations of different varying districts.
With regard to the manner of getting rid of the
sewerage and drainage of the metropolis, the most
simple and cheapest in first effect would undoubtedly
be to pour it at once into the Thames.
That river forms the most central, the lowest, and
readiest outlet. By such a proceeding districts might
be taken up and dealt with independently of one an-
other, and probably a great mass of the existing
sewers will be turned to account, and the system
combining sewerage and surface drainage might be
rapidly devised and carried into execution.
But two great objections are made to this system:—
First, the pollution of the Thames.
Secondly, the loss of the manure.
With regard to the pollution of the river, it may
be a question how far the objection, although very
generally entertained, is sufficiently sound to justify
an absolute prohibition at any cost, and whether the
very dilluted state to which it is contemplated to
reduce the sewerage, combined nith the best princi•
pies of construction and material for the outlets, and
considering how the current from the sewers will be
diffused among so large a mass of water as composes
the Thames at London, would not be a complete
remedy for the sanitary evil effects and sensible
nuisance (which may probably be classed together)
now complained of.
As to the water in the river being rendered unfit

for drinking or cooking purposes, I submit the ob-
jection to be of little consideration.
,The inhabitants ought to be provided for thoEe
purposes with better water from other sources than
coull be obtained from the impurity of the Thames
even were all the town sewenige removed from it.
The manure question is of far greater importance
and of more difficult solution.

If it can be worked out to the advantage of apply.
ing ill the sewerage matter to manure, it at once gets
rid of any discussion as to polluting the river; it will
however, require an entirely new and probably coin-
Lined general system—one that is full of difficulties
will scarcely obtain any aid from all that at present

exists, and will call for an enormously increased outlay
on its first coact • nd sub3,qaent maintenmee
These difficulties however, are not to- -event the
most earnest consideration being g:vi2ri to i n obj?ct
of such general benefit to the country ; but they are
sufficient to show the necessity for great caution and for
thorough conviction of proceeding aright where any
degree of miscalculation or want offoresight, so likely
to arise among the enthusiastic in pursuing the attain-
inent of a great public advantage, woa!d necessarily
lead to the most serious evil.
Among the difficulties attending the manure ques-
tion, there are some that are peculiar to London, and
that will tend to show its application to be far less
favourable there than in any other locality :
First, the great amount of stable dung and other
surface manure available to the immediate neighbour-
hood, so that for four or five; miles around London,
comprehending the City, itself a very extensive area,
the sewerage matter would be comparatively of small
value, and would require a conveyance or removal to
considerable distances.

Secondly, amitht such a dense population the
perfection with which all the arrangements for the
collection, preparation (if any), and removal of the
matter must be carried out.

Thirdly, the increased expense of attaining that
perfection, as well as of every part of the establi,sh-
merits that must necessarily be situilted oven in London
or in its immediate niAghbourhood.
Nor can London in its site be Said to posses., a► y
advantage for its collection of the sewerage.
It is Ibr the most part low and flat, without falls
or soils favourable to the construction of channels and
receptacles, and necessarily requiring the matter to be
raised by mechanical means to render it available for
manure.

Although most towns in this and other countries
are more favourably circumstanced, I am not aware
of any one that can present us with a specimen of
sewerage that affords all the desired advantages and
great profits that we are told are so easy of attainment.
It is true there are many that well exhibit the ob-
jects partially obtained—that is, perhaps, on one side,
and for particular portions and descriptions of land ;
but in such cases that it is not generally applied where
there is an example and fruitful benefit shows that it
is not universally applicable.
Even in cases where an entire town may be found
to afford an example, it should have been followed by
every other of the same country where that success
must be well known.

Or should even all this be found, still the analogy
must be made good between the circumstances of
those places and London.
It would appear, however, rather that a great ex-
periment is to be made of London, which, on account
of the magnitude of the operation, is most unfavourable
to the attempt.
The Commissioners are, consequently, placed in a
very difficult and delicate position, and if the practi-
cability of the profitable application of the sewerage
product to manure is ultimately decided to be estab-
lished so as to be a sine full non and a leading feature
in the system, I apprehend that it will be a work of
much time and difficulty before the precise manner of
carrying it out can be settled.

While the most urgent demands are made upon
the Commissioners to accelerate, or rather not to pro-
tract delay in proceedings for an efficient sewerage of
the city, the operation is thoroughly embarrassed by
this manure consideration, one almost entirely of
speCulation, for expeiience affords very little guide
towards forming a judicious project for so enormous
an undertaking.
The great desideratum for a plan for adoption
would, in my opinion, be one, the primary object in
which would be to carry off the whole matter to some
available outlet in the cheapest efficient way, but in
such manner as would afford facilities for intercepting
and applying it as manure as a distinct measure.

Then. should there be a failure, it would only attach
to that particular measure, and not affect the entire
operation.
Assuming that the Commissioners come to the con-
clusion that as a fixed principle all the sewerage
matter is to be carried awey by abundant flows of
water, it may not be difficult to fix on the degree of
dilution to which it is to be reduced—that is, so as to
settle upon a minimum inclination that shall be
allowed for its current, either generally or according
to the classes of the several channels from the details
of house drainage to the final discharging tunnels.
This will bring one very important element to bear
upon the plans of the sewerage, and facilitate their
construction ; as would also, in a degree, fixing on
dimensions for the several pipes and channels, accord-
ing to classes of the duty they v;i11 have to perform.
I apprehend that the plan very generally proposed
for carrying off the sewerage by one general line of
tunnel (or one on each side of die river), placed longi-
tudinally through the town, into which all the lateral
sewers are to discharge their contents, is erroneous in
principle :

1. Because it must be throughout of a depth suffi-
cient to afford a fail from the lowest part of the city,
which would very much increase the expense
and difficulty of construction and removal of the
matter.

2. It must necessarily be of great length—that is,
of several miles ; and, to carry the prescribed fall, it
will require a depth, to which it must be carried,
that would be most embarrassing, and the construc-
tion of which would be enormously expensive, while
at the same time very great mechanical power will
be required in constant and endless operation to raise
the sewage matter, which, in a liquid state, will be
immense in quantity.
3. It is rendering the whole city liable to the con-
tingencies of a single channel. No modification of
this system by multiplying these longitudinal tunnels
that are to run through the town, can remove the ob-
jections which would seem to be sufficient to con-
demn the principle, unless they are so subdivided in
lengths as to partake of the character of a district ar-
rangement, which would appear to be the better
cow se—me by which each district would only be
attendEd with those difficulties absolutely belonging
to it, and not carry the greatest of them through the
whole system.
Systems for ventilation of sewers, which have been
great sajects of diseusEion and difficulty, will be
much simplified, if the necessity for them at all be
not entirely removed in many districts, by establish-
ing a free vent to the open air, towards which the
uninterrupted stream shall flow.
Nov. 9. J. F. BURGOYNE.

THE APPROACHING. HIGH TIDES AND
INUNDATIONS, 1849.
TO THE EDITOR OF TUE MORNING HERALD.

Eir,—About the 29th or 30th of the present month,
between the hours of two or three in the morning, a
very high tide will take place, which will affect all
the tidal ports of the United Kingdom, about the
hours of high water at the different places ; but if
continued rain should accompany the event, a tem-
porary inundation of the lower parts may be expected.
However, not wishing to create any unnecessary
alarm among the multitude, but only to put those on
their guard to whom public interests, shipping, &c.,
are entrusted, by calling their attention to the effects
of the probable extraordinary high tide, I venture to
paint out the contemporaneous circumstances calcu-
lated to produce and increase the magnitude of the
great tidal wave, which, although periodic, is yet of
very rare occurrence.
On the 29th of December, 1849, the earth is at its
least distance from the sun (hence a superior solar
tidal wave) ; at the same time the moon, being
at its full, is also at its least distance from the earth,
and, by a remarkable coincidence, also at its greatest
northern declination; hence the combined tidal in-
fluence, the destructiveness of which may be dimi-
nished by proper precautions.
Nearly the whole of the northern hemisphere will
be subject to the full force of its influence, and
wherever opportunities of observation exist, we may
expect to hear of high tides from all parts of the
world; thus, Canton, Bombay, Aden, the West
Indies, &c., will feel its effects.
In a local point of view, it will be very great .on
the banks of the Thames, if also united to the effects
of continued rains, winds, &c., which may be ex-
expected, having had a hot and a comparatively dry
period for many months, and thus, by the law of
compensation, make up the average quantity pf rain.
From its sanitary influence on a great scale we
may regard it as a real good, which may, perhaps,
wash away many a plague-spot. Thus no ultiniate
benefit would result from any expensive attempt to
avert an extraordinary overflow, as the banks of the
Thames cannot be altered from their natural level so
as to meet these temporary emergencies.
Should a hard frost set in about the 29th it will
check the overflow; however, the probable height of
the tide at London-bridge will be thirty feet.
It will be remarked that the tides during the day
will be less, but at night much greater.
I am, Sir, yours obliged,
ARTHUR GEARING, 'feacher, of Mathematics.
2, Ranelagh-t•treet, Leamington.

DEATH IN 'I MI COUNTING SOUS T.-At a large silk
merchant's establishment, at the west-end of -London,
three stout healthy young countr)reen, who had come
into the house one after the other to, act as cashier, had
died. The counting-house was a close room, without a
window, and in which, consequently, gas was always
burning. We were engaged about ' the house profes-
sionally when the last mtn died, and were repotted to
"do some little thing" towards ventilating the room.
The step we took was to place all round the walls, im.
mediately under the ceiling, a 3-inch pipe of perforated
zinc (a pipe full of innumerable small holes), both ends
of which were connected in mle corner with a tube.that
came down the angle, and was taken under the floor
into a flue. An amazing improvement in the atmosphere
of the room wrs effected, and its rafter-occupants re-
mained perfectly healthy, albeit it ever will be a melan-
choly den for a man who loves sutlight, to spend the
days of his youth in.—Builder.

FUND FOR PROMOTING FENIA.LE
The sympathies of the public have recently been interested by de-
tailed acconnis of the condition of the poor, and especialy of the suf-
ferings „f seen .3 of those wh,. are am,ng the most helpless of their
sea—the warring women of the country.
In the metropolis alone, 33,50 d women are engaged in the single
business of apparel -making. It is estimated that 28,500 of them are
under 20 years of age, and that of these a large portion are subsisting,
or attempting to subsist, on sums varying from 4% 0. to 2(ad. a day.
Throughout Great Britain the male population is greatly out-num-
bered by the female. By the census of 1841 it appeared that there
were alo,ooo were women than men, and so great has been the
amount of male awalgration during the last nine years, that the ca-
caos of females may be fairly supposed to have reached half a million.
In the British Colonies on the other hand, the inequality is re-
versed in 1847 there were in New South Wales only 41,800 females
to 83,000 males; in South Austra is only 13,000 females to 17,000
males. Similar disproportion exists in Van Diemen's Land and other
Colonial dependencies.
It is proposed to take measures with a view to abate this double
evil ; to supply the Colonies with the population which is the crying
want of society there, and at the same time to redress this increas-
ing grievance of the mother country, to rescue from penury and mi-
sery those who emigrate, and, by diminishing the unnatural excess of
female labour, to better the condition of those who remain.
With these views the following Noblemen and Gentlemen have
termed themselves into a

COMUITTEE.
The Right Hon. SIDNEY HERBERT, M.P., Chairman.
The Right Hon. Lord John Russell, M.P.
The Most Noble the Marquis of Westminster
The Right Hon. the Earl ofearlisie
The Right Hon. the Earl of Harrowby
The Right Hon. the Earl of St. Germains
The Right Hon. the Earl of Ellesmere
The Right Rev, the Lord Bishop of London
The Lord Ashley, M.P.
The Right Hen. Lord Robert Grosvenor, M.P.
The Right Hon. James Stuart Wortley, M.P.
The Han. John Talbot, Q.C.
The ROIL Arthur Kinnaird
Sir Walter Itockliff Farquhar, Bart.
Sir James Duke, Bart., M.P.
The Boren Lionel de Rothschild, M.P.
C. B...kdderley, Esq., M.P.
George Carr Glyn, Esq., M.P.
John Masterman, Esq., M.P.
John Waiter, Esq., M.P.
• William Page Wood, Esq., 31. P.
She Rev. Joseph Brown
The Rev. W. W. Champneye
William Cotton, Esq.
The Rev. Thomas Dale
W. F. A. Delano, Esq.
The Rev. John Garwood
William Gregson, Esq.
Robert Hanbury, Esq.
M. I. Higgins, Esq.
Charles Hoare, Esq.
Samuel Jones Loyd, Este
The Rev. W. Quekitt
The Rev. B. C. Sanger
William Chow, Esq.
The Rev. J. Sherman
The Count de Strzelecki, C.D.
is proposed to take immediate measures for promoting Emigra-
tion to Bee British Colonies en an extensive scale.
Assistance will, in the first instance, be extended to the class
which, as the poorest and most helpless, has a reasonable claim to
early consideration, the neediewomen and slop-workers.
Offices will be immediately opened, at which such parties may re-
ester their applications.
Care will tee taken to select such persons only as are well recom-
mended, and whose age and habits ren'er them fit subjects for emi-
gration.
Such arrangements will lie made as will secure for them every
possible safeguard and care &ring the passage out. Communica-
tions will be opened with the colonies, with a view to the proper re-
ception of the emigre:its on their arrives; for their temporary as-
sistance, ay.,' to afford them facilities for placing themselves in
respectable positions.
The amount of the assistance, and the form in which it is to be
rendered to the emigrants, whether that assistance shall be by way
of gift or lean, or moth, must depend upon the amount of contribu-
tions at the disposal of the committee, and be necessarily regulated
by the eircunistences of each case.
A vast anlertaking is proposed, a great and growing evil is to be
met and remedied, vigorous action and large means are required ;
but the Committee look with confidence to the public for support,
doubting not that in a land abounding with wealth, and in which there
Is a self-denying and a Christian spirit, means will be provided for
accompllehing so great an end. They venture to remind the nation
of the great and grievous affliction which, by the Providence of God,
they have just escaped, and they urge upon them the greatlduty of
showing their gratitude to their Divine Benefactor by assisting the
most helpless and needy of his creatures.
Donations :nay, if it be desired, be paid. in two, three, or four an-
nual Taste merits.
The follow:tie bankers will receive money for the fund :
In the City. At the West-end.
Messrs. Barclay, Bevan, and Co, Messrs. Iloares, Fleet-street.
Messrs. Glen and Co. Messrs. Coutts and Co., Strand.
Messrs. J: nes Lloyd and Cs, Messrs. Ransom and Co., Pall-
Mame W:llhns, Deacon, and snail.
Co. Messrs. Hcrries and Co., St.
James's-street.
l be published in a few days.
rM. T. HALY, Hon. Secretary.
square, Dec. 11, 1849.

A Litt of Contributions wit

4, St. Martin's-place, Trafalgar-1

THEA run ROYAL, HAYMARKET.
Mr. IL Webster, ,Sale Lessee and Me.nager, Old Ilrompton.
Tills ENTEXINts,

Will be performed HAMLET. Hamlet, Mr. C. Kean
Ophelia, Mrs. C. Kean ; Gertrude, Mrs. Warner.
♦tter which a new Farce eutitlcti THE LAUGHING HYENA.
To conclude with A Kh3 IN THE DARK.
The Eox-offize is under the direction cf Mr. I. T. Archer.

TUEATE ROYAL. A:DELPHI.
ITEsier th.a direction of Madame Celesta.
THIS EVENING,
Will be perforreed a new domestic Drama, called THE WILLOW
•OPSE. Principal characters by Messrs. Hughes, Wright, P. Bed-
-1 rd, 0. Smith ; Madame Celeste, and 3liss Ntioolgar.
To be followed by as entirely new Extravaganza, entitled DO-
MESTIC ECONOMY. John Greenly, Mr. Wright ; Mrs. Gruraley.
Mrs. P. Matthews.
To conclude with a new slippery sketch called MRS. BITNEURTS
WOONS. Mr. ilighbury Barnes, Mr. T. Bedford ; Bob ?winks,
Mr. Wright ; Job Smith, Mr. 0. imith; Mrs. Banbury, Mrs. F.
Matthews; Mrs. Highbury Barnes, Miss Brooks.

LOYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.
IJnntr the Management of Madame Yetstaia.
tiole Lessee, Mr. Charles Mathews.
TIIIS EVENING,
'Will be performed a comic drama, called A PRACTICAL MAN.
To be followed by DELICATE GROUND.
After which lIE WOULD BM AN ACTOR.
T. conclude with RAISING THE WIND.
Dress Boxes 54. Upper Boxes, 4a. ; Pit. 2s, ; Gallery. la.. No
half-price to any part of the house.
All applications for Private Boxes mast be made to Mr. Aileron, 15,
New Rond-street.

YEINCES'S
Mr. J. M. Maddox, 1 ola Leseee and Manager.
THIS EN-ENING,
Will be performed a new and erigLual comic Opera called MINA.
Triacipal characters by Messrs. W. Harrison, Weiss, Corti. Wynn;
Mrs. -Weiss, and .Miss Louisa Fyne.
After which, the Extravaganza of THE FIRST NIGHT.
To conclude with A MODEL OF .i. WIFE.

THEATRE ROYAL, SADLER'S WELLS.
Under the Management of Mr. Phelps.
THIS EVENING,
Will be performed a now Tragedy, in FiTO Acts, by F. G. Tone-
ltne, Secretary to the Shakespeare Society, Auther of " A Brief Yiew
of the English Drama," &c., entitled
GARCIA ; 011, THE NOBLE ERROR.
Garcia, Mr. Phelps; Marquis de Pacheco, Mr. H. Marston; Doti
Manuel, Mr. G. K. Dickinson ; Ceunt D'Aguilar, Mr. Hoskins; Fray
I,iego, Mr. Wilkins; Rodriguez Xerife, Mr. Graham ; Michael Mo-
rills., Mr. H. Mellon ; John de St. Martin, Mr. Knight; Dr. Jaw
Hula de Medina, Mr Dolman ; John Lopez del Barso, Mr. Belford;
Loreozo, Mr. C. Fenton ; Pedro, Mr. Franke ; Ceuatess de Yyera.
Miss Glyn; Camilla, Miss T. Hassan°.
To conclude with the SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER.

ISTLE I'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.
Proprietor, Mr. W. Batty.
TIIIS EVENING.
Mr. BATTY has great pleasure in announcing that he has sue-
(leaded in engaging Mademoiselle ANGELE, trom the Hippodrome,
Paris, and who is the first Egutstrian of the day, with her highly-
trained Steeds, " Senora" and " Bertram." Mademoiselle Angele is
the same,Lady that rode the celebrated English Steeplechase Mare
" Angela" over twenty-eight teet of Water. She will Shortly make
her appearance at Astley's Ampitheatre.
Mr. BATTY hai much pleasure in announcing that ha has engaged
Cedoni, the most graceful penermer on the Tight Rope in
Europe, who will appear every Evening.
The performance will commence at a Quarter to Seven, with the
Grand natblial and magnificent Fpectacle of THE BATTLE OF
WATERLOO, in whieh Mr. Edward Oomorsal will appear in his
erlainal char.:cter of Napoleon.
Ater which Batry's SCENES OF TILE ARENA, enlivened by
Messrs. T. Barry, E. Jacksln. and Wheelie.
To conclude with the new Extravaganza of Mr. BRIGGS ; or
PLEAS T RES OF HOUSEKEEPING AND HOUSEKEEPING,
in which the whole Company and Stud of this Establishment, a
Lung train or moveables, comprising Omnibus, litaroucke, Go-Cart,
and other vehicles, will appear.
Box-office open froth Eleven till For r.
Managcr, Mr. W. West.

AT LONDON littlDoz.
Tn:r DAT —Morning, 11 min. after 12 I Evening, 37 min. after 12
To-',Tolaow orning, 33 run. wter 12 1 Evening, 2O min. after 1

THE WEATHEIt.-Bux O 3 ICE. DEC. 12.
TIEERNONET/13, Lowest, 30; Highest, 37; Noon, 33

BANODIETER, 30.05.
WIND Z.—Dull, cold, foggy Treat ben

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