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

THE SEWAGE QUESTION.

suoJEcTs THAT MAY BE NfOIITHY OF ATTEN-
'nos- IN CONSIDERING PLANS OR SYSTEMS
FOR THE GENERAL SE WERAGE OF THE ME-
'rROPOLIS.

The only objects of the Commission are—
First—To rid the metropolis of the noxious sewer-
age matter, and of the druinAge waters, 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 fur 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 isuy prooced_
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, a 3 uniting a great national
advantage with their more peculiar charge.
Such a proceeding could, however, only be justified
on clear undisputed proof, foundtd 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 boil-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 snore 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 consequeutly
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 wish the best princi•
pies of construction and material for the outlets, ard
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
nuisarce (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 Hale conaideration.

,The inhabitants ought to be provided for those
purposes with better water from other sources than
could be obtained from the impurity of the Thames
even were all the town sewerage removed from it.
The manure question is of tar greater importance
and of more difficult solution.

If it can be worked out to the advantage of apply-
ing all 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 com-
bined general system—one that is full of difficulties
will scarcely obtain any aid from all that at present

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 'nada 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 qua 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 upcn
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 experience 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 away 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 :.s 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 will have to pereorm.
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 the river), placed longi•
tudinaLy 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 filo 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 or a No modification of
this system by multiplying these longitudinal euanai.
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 to subdivided in
lengths as to partake of the character of a district ar-
rangement, which would appear to be the better
cow se—cne 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 subjects of discussion and difficulty, will be
mt ch 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 TIIE EDITOR OF THE 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 Kingaom, 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, mske up the average quantity of 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 ultimate
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 reinark,el that the tides during the day
will be less, but at night much greater.
I am, Sir, yours obliged,
ARTHUR GEARING, Teacher of Mathematics.
2, Ranelagli-street, Le=amington. .

DEATH IN COUNTING sous:.—At a large silk
merchant's estaLiishment, at the west-end of Loi.don,
three stout healthy young country men, 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 man (tied, and were requested to
"do some little thing" towards ventilating the room.
The step we took was to place all round the walls, im-
meiiately under the ceiling, a 3-inch pipe of perforated
zinc (a pipe full of innumerable small holes), both ends
of which were connected in one 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 was effected, and its after-cccupants re.
mained perfectly healthy, albeit it ever will be a melan-
choly den for a man who loves sunlight, to spend the
days of his youth in.—Builder.

FUND FOR PROMOTING FEMALE
EMIGRATION.
The sympathies of the public have recently been interested by de-
tailed accounts of the condition of the poor, and especially of the suf-
ferings (-4' some of those who are awng the most helpless of their
sex—the working women of the country.
Tn the metropolis alone, 33.500 women are engaged in the single
beefless of apparel -making. It le 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 434 d. to 234 d. a day.
Throughout Great Britain the male pepulstion is greatly out-num-
bered 1w the female. By the census of 1841 it appeared that there
were 890,p00 more women than men, and so great has been the
amuient et male emigration during the last nine years, that the ex-
3ese 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 4100 females
to 83,000 males; in South Austra.la only 13,000 females to 17,000
make. 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 ; Vsapply 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
farmed themselves into a

Comma Tea,
'ilbe Right Lion. 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 ofCarlisle
The Right Hon. the Earl of Harrowby
The Right lion. the Earl of St. Germahis
The Right Hon. the Earl of Ellesmere
The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of London
The Lord Ashley, M.P.
'1 be Right lion. Lord Robert Grosvenor, M.P.
The Right Hon. James Stuart Wortley, M.P.
Alm lion. John Talbot, Q.C.
The lion. Arthur Kinnaird
ilir Walter Rocklik Farquhar, Bart.
fir James Duke, Bart., M.P.
,:•• The Baron Lionel de Rothschild, M.P.
C. B. AdderleY, Esq., M.P.
George Carr Glyn, Esq., M.P.
• John Masterman, Esq., M.P.
John Walter, Esq., M.P.
William Page Wood, Esq., M.P.
The Rev. Joseph Brown
The Rev.'W. W. Champlaye
William Cotton, Esq.
• The Rev. Thomas Dale
11'. F. A. Delano, Esq.
The Rev. John Garwood
William Gregson, Esq.
Robert Hanbury, Esq.
K. I. Higgins, Esq.
Charles Hoare, Esq.
Samuel Jones Loyd, Esq.
The Rev. W. Quekitt
The Rev. B. C. Sanger
Wiliam Shaw, Esq.
The Rev. J. Sherman.
The Count de Strzelecki, C.B.
It is proposed to take immediate measures for promoting Emigre.
tion te the Bridsh Colonies on an extensive scale.
ifailtA=4 will, in the first instance, be extended to the class
winch, as the poorest and most helpless, has a reasonable claim to
early oonsideration, the needlewomen and slop-workers.
Offices will be immediately opened, at which such parties may re-
gister their applications.
Caro will be taken to select such persons only as are well recom-
mended, and whose aye and habits rezier them lit subjects for emi-
gration.
Such arrangements will bs made as will secure for them every
possible refeguard and care during the passage out. Commanies-
Vous will -be opened with the colonies, with a view to the proper re-
ception of theomigrants on their arrival; for their temporary as-
sistance, aid to afford them facilities for phibing themselves in
respectable positioas.
The amount of the. assistance, and the form in which it is to be
soadered to the emigrants, whether that assistance Shall be by way
of gift or loan, or both, must depend upon the amount of contribu-
tions at the disposal of the committee, and be necessarily regulated
by the circumstances of each case.
A vasa undertaking is proposed, a great and growing evil is to be
mat ant remedied, vigorous action and large means are required ;
but the Committee lock with confidence to the public for support,
doubting net that in a land abounding with wealth, and in which• there
is a self-denying and a Christian spirit, means will be provided for
aceqmplishing 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 greagduty of
showing their gratitude to their Divine Benefactor by assisting the
most hslplees end needy of his creatures.
Donatlons may, if it be desired, be paid in two, three, or four an-
anal instalments.
The following bankers will receive money for the Mild :
la the City. At the West-end.
Mews. Barclay, Bevan, and Co, Messrs. Ilaares, Fleet-street.
Nears. Glyn and Co. Messrs. emits and Co.' Strand.
Illwrs. .nos Lloyd and Co, Messrs. Ransom and Co., Pall-
Messrs. Williams, Deacon, and mall.
Messrs. Berries and Co., St.
James's-street.
be published in a few days.
7M. T. HiLY, Hon. Secretary.
vinare, Dee. 11, 1849.

MA of Coutribations

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

THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.
Mr. E. Webster, sele Lessee and Manager, Old Bromptois.
EVENIE(-
__

lYill he peribrmed HAMLET. Hamlet, Mr. C. Kean
Opitelia, Jars. C. Kean ; Gertrude, Mrs. Warner.
After which a new Farce entitled THE LAUGHING HYENA.
To conclude with A KISS IN' THE DARK.
The Rox-ofilise le tinder the direction of Mr. I. T. Archer.

TtIEATIt ROYAL, A.O ELPHI.
Under tits direction nt Madanso Celeste.
THIS EVENING,
Will he performed a new domestic Drama, called THE WILLOW
80P8g. Principal characters by Messrs. Hughes, Wright, P. Bed-
ford, 0. Smith ; Madame Celeste, and Miss Woolgar.
T. bo followed by an entirely new Extrarapuiza, entitled DO-
MESTIC ECONOMY. Joint Gramly, Mr. Wright ; Mrs. Gruraley.
Mrs. T. Matthews.
Te conclude with a new slippery sketch called MRS. BUN. BURY'S
MOWS. Mr. Highbary Barnes, Mr. P. Beilford ; Bob Twinks,
Mr. Wright ; Job Smith, Mr. 0. smith : Mrs. Bunbary, Mrs. F.
Matthews; Mrs. Highbury Barnes, Miss Brooks.

r. OT AL LYCEUM THEATRE.
Uailer the Management of Madamc Veldria.
Sole Lessee, Mr. Charted Mathews.
THIS EVENING,
be performed a comic drama, called A PRACTICAL MAN.
To be followed by DELICATB GROUND.
After which UE WOULD BE AN ACTOR.
To conclude with RAISING THE WIND.
Drees Boxes ; Upper Bout., 4e. ; 25.; Gallery, Is.: No
half-price to any part of the house.
All applications for Private Boxes milt be made to Mr. Allcroft,
brew Bond-sheet.

FicaliCtSh'S
Mr. J. M. Maddox, Sole Lessee and Manager.
THIS EVENING,
Will be performed a new and original comic Opera called MINA.
Friacipel characters by Messrs. W. Harrison, Weiss, Core, Wynn ;
Mrs. Weiss, and Miss Louisa Fyne,
After which, the Extraysiganze of THB FIRST NIGHT.
• Ti conclude with A MODEL OF A WIFE.

THEATRE ROYAL, SADLER'S WELLS.
Under the Management of Mr. Phelps.
THIS EVENING,
Will be performed a new Tragedy, in Fly's Acts, by F. G. Toil-
Ins, Secretary to the Shakespeare Society, Author of " A Brief View
of the English Drama," Etc., entitled
GARCIA ; Ott, THE NOBLE ERROR.
Garciti, Mr. Phelps ; Marquis do Pacheco, Mr. 11. Marston ; Don
Manuel, Mr. G. K. Dickinson ; Count D'Aguilar, Mr. Hoskins; Fray
Dligo, Mr. Wilkins ; Rodriguez lerifen Mr. Graham ; Michael Mo-
riga, Mr. U. Mellon ; John do St. Martin, Mr. Knight; Dr. John
Anis de Medina, Mr Dolman; John Lopez del Bareo, Mr. Belford;
Lorsazo, Mr. C. Fenton ; Pedro, Mr. Franks ; Couatess de Tyoro,
Miss Glyn ; Camilla, Miss T. Bassein).
To sow:lade with the SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER.

A.STLE 'CS ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.
2 Preprietor, Mr. W. Batty.
- THIS EVENING,
Mr. BITTY has great pleasure in announcing that he has sue-
ceeded in engaging. Mademoiselle ANCIELE, from the Hippodrome,
Parte, and who is the first Equestrian of the day, with her highly-
trained Stands, " Senora" and " Bertrara." Mademoiselle Angele is
the same:Lady that rode the celebrated English Steeplechase Mare
"Angela" over twenty-eight feet of water. She will Shortly make
her appearance at Astley's Ampiilleatrs-
Mr. BATTY has much pleasure in announcing that he has engaged
C.doni, the most graceful performer on thb Tight Rope he
Europe, who will appear every Evening.
The periormance will commence at a Quarter to Simple, with the
Srand national and magnificent Spectacle 0f THE BATTLE OF
WATERLOO, in which Mr. Edward Gomersal will appear in his
original character of Napoleon.
After which Baby's SCENES OF THE ARENA. enlivened by
;Legere. T. Barry, E. Jackson, and Wheale.
To conolude -with the. new Extravaganza of Mr. BRIGGS ; or
the PLEASURES OF HOUSEKEEPING AND HORSEKFEPING,
is which the whole Company and Stud of this Establishment, a
lon7; train of moYeat,;e4, comprising Omnibus, liaronche, Go-Cart,
and other vehicles, will appear.
Box•effice open front Eleven till Tot r.
Stage Manerer, 74r. West.

111(111 WATER AT LONDON liraD44l4l.
Tau DAT —lforning, 14 min. after 12 I Evealm, 37 min. after 12
To-Sfeaaort --,4erriing, 93 min. after 12 i Evening, 20 min. after 1

TEE WEATHER.—StaI OFFICE, Dec. 12.
Tx-Amin T$ Lowost, 30; Highost, 37; Noon, 33

BAROMETER, 30.05.
WIND Z,—Dull, cold, foggy woather.

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