The Sun.
London, England, 1841-01-01 00:00:00

and the others were 131 inches in diameter, with a 36-inch
stroke. One of the engines might be calculated to pro-
duce from 27 to 30 strokes of the smaller pumps per mi-
nute, the other between 17 and 20 strukcs of the larger
pumps. The water of the well was now repeatedly
pumped out, as low as the power of the engines admitted,
and the height of the Colne at those times carefully noted,
and it soon became obvious that the height of the springs
could in no degree be said to affect the level of the
river, thus showing that all direct commaeication between
the two might be considered as cut off by a bcd of puddle, or
clay. The next object of inquiry was, as to the supply
which a well might be expected to yield, and the result
of a careful experiment, made under my direction, and
confirming those previously conducted by Mr. Paton, sa-
tisfied me, that alter the water had for twenty-four hours
been kept at the lowest level to which the power of the
pumps would reduce it (about twenty-six feee below its
surface when undisturbed), it rose in the well a ith a velo-
city equal to 2.02 feet per second, thus yielding 174,500
cubic feet, or 1,091,000 gallons per 24 hours. As this was
obtained in a well, the bottom of which was only 12 feet 6
inches diameter, and as direct proofs had been obtained by
borings, that below the 34 feet reached in the welt,
there was a constant recurrence of large springs, giving
evidence that the water rapidly increased with the
depth, which when SO feet were obtained, became so pro-
digiously plentiful as to set all temporary means of over-
coming it at defiance, and precluded all possibility of hav-
ing recourse to it for the mere purpose of an expariment,
I thought it quite unnecessary to seek further proofs that
a sufficient supply for all requisite purposes might with
facility be obtained.

It would be premature to give, in the present stage of
the proceedings, a detailed account of the arrangements I
propose making, for augmenting the quantity to en ade-
quate extent; and it may be sufficient to state here, that
I have not the slightest doubt, that by sinking a deep wall,
and extending tunnels or drifts in the proper direction from
its bottom, the necessary supply will be fully accomplished.
Being also convinced that the water filtering through the
chalk might be considered as entirely divested of ail im-
purities, held in mechanical suspension, of which, indeed,
there was abundant ocular demonstration (as it was so
beautifully transparent as to admit of the bottom of the
well being seen when the water was upwards of 30 feet
deep), I at once turned my attention to the best means of
conveying it to London.
The principal difficulty which intervenes is the ridge
formed by the escarpment at the outcrop of the plastic and
London clays, which Mr. Telford, in his prop oral to bring
the water of the Verulam stream to Loteler.,.h,WeoefeAs
plated perforating by a tuunel three and a .ia7f inileina.
length. .my connection with the Londs, and Fiiridnghtint .
Railway has placed me in possession of facts which con.
viuce me that at the level at which Mr. Telford would
have traversed some of the beds of chalk, a ad the whole
of the plastic clay, he would have met with very great
difficulty, in consequence of water. For this rcascn I
propose, on leasing the Colne valley, that before en-
tering the ridge which separates it from the district
draining into the Brent, the water should
be forced to a height of 50 feet above its original level, at
'which elevation we get rid of the difficulties of the plistie
clay; as we only traverse its upper extremity, where no
water lies yet accumulated. The length of the tunuel is
also considerably reduced.
I have' pracireAl adopting a line which is materially
ahorterthan Mr. Telford's, as, with the exception of the
said tunnel, two and a half miles in length, no difficulty of
any kind is encountered. Immediately on the water re-
issuing into the open air on the side at Brockley-leill, I
propose forming a reservoir to contain three days' supply
of water, wi:h a sufficient head to admit of a main being
laid hence, and conveyed (in order to avoid all opposition
from lattdowners)from the town of Edgeware to Oxford-
street, along the side of the road itself; thereby also faci-
litating the laying of the main, and rendering all the
works of any magnitude, as earthworks, aqueducts, &c.,un-
neci:ssary.., The level el the reservoir will lastly be such,
that the highest service can be given, and, indeed, a part
of the town which !lune of the present Companies can sup-
ply, will be included within its range.
-1-trust I have said enough to convince an unbiassed
parson that there exists no difficulty, both in obtaining a.
supply of good water from the springs of the chalk, near
Watford, and in convcyiug it theace to London. I must,
however, impress you here with the necessity of enforcing my
arguments with as numerous a body of facts as can be col-
lected, and I would therefore recommend that, previously
to the meeting of Parliament, I should be authorised to
mike', such info' (nation respecting the quantity, nature, and
quality of the wells in every part of the chalk circle
surrounds London, as will bear practically on the subject.
This might then be embud:.!d in a second part or appendix
to this report, to be submitted to those who, being unac-
quainted with geological phenomena, may consequently he-
sitate in adopting dews which others, already scientifically
acquainted with the subject, will tot for a moment call in
doubt.
In concluding, I may be allowed to cast a retrospective
glance at the advantages held out by the project I have
been called upon to examine. These, then, consist in its
being proposed to use spring water, already naturally fil-
tered, in preference to that which has drained a portion
of the eel th's surface; in making use of that enormous re-
servoir which itatui e has supplied us with in the chalk,
and affecting this at a spot where no existing interests can
be injured ; and in the selection of such a situation as ena-
bles ut to convey the supply to London with facility anti
economy, and et a sufficient elevation to satisfy the de-
mands of even the highest pit of the metropolis.
. I have the honour to hei Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant.
`` ROBERT STEPIIIiNSON.

Lnndon, Dec. 10.

t IPTV FOR
!•• ' TillatakXP)"4"l
i- : 2'

In consequence of a requisition this day sent to the
Chairman, I :11h directed by him to request the favour
of your attendance at a special meeting of the General
Committee here, on Wednesday next, the 80th inst.,
at four o'clock precisely, to consider the following

'notion :

" It is expedient to amend the 14th by-law of the So-
ciety, by inserting therein the words ' and Treasurer
bat ween the words Vice-Chairman' and ' shall be an-
nually elected,' and again between the words ` Vice-
Chairman' and ` of a previous year.
" It is also expedient that in the
of Treasurer should be declared vac
mittce should proceed to fill up the

at which, according to the 3.7 th b;

alteration shall be confirmed."
TIIOL
59, Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, Dec. 23

The CHAIRMAN has this day rei
letter :

" My Lord—Feeling, in comet
of sentiment existing in the London
of the Society for tho Diffusion of
that I should not be able again
cordiality which has hitherto in
intercourse with its tnenahers, coilei
ally, and has proved my only requi
of zealous devotion of time to the
ciety, and to the duties of the office
I have during that period held ; I Jog
my resignation of that Office, and to request that your
Lordship will be pleased to convene a special general
meeting of the Committee to accept such resignation.
" I have the honour to be, my Lord,
" Your Lordship's very obedient servant.
WILLIAM TOOKE.
" Russell-square, Dec. '2S, 1840."
Mr. Tooke's letter will be taken into consideration
at the meeting on Wednesday, the 6th of January.
THOMAS COATES.
.59/6ncoln's Inn-fields, Dec. 28, 1840.
y The following will be the I4th by-law, if the proposed
alteration is adopted. The amendment is indicated by
italics :

" XIV. 1. Committee shall supply vacancies in the
offices of Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Treasurer, by
ballot, out of their own body. The Vice-Chairman and
Treasurer shall be annually elected by ballot, at the ordi-
nary monthly meeting in February, out of the members
nominated at sonic previous meeting, and the Vice-Chair-
man and Treasurer of a previous year shall bo re-eligible
without previous notice."

Yesterday morning, at half-past eight, death
derminated in Guy's Hospital the sufferings of Robert
Loader, aged 25 years, one of the unfortunate firemen
belonging to the Watling-street Fire-station of the Lon-
don Fire-establishment, who was severely injured by the
falling of a wall at the destructive fire, at Mr. Good-
bart's, sugar-baker, in Ratcliff-highway. The unfor-
tunate young man underwent amputation of the le. Her-
ries, another fireman, lies in the hospital without hopes of
recovery.
INQUEST.—The inquest on one of the bodies
of the unfortunate sufferers who met their deaths at
France-street Chapel, Dublin, on the morning of Christmas
Day was held st the Coombe Hospital last Tuesday. tier
name was Oblate!), a shoemaker's wife. She was literally
trampled to death. This poor woman was dragged from
the heap of human beings at the foot of the flight steps
leading into the chapel. The Jury brought in a verdict
" That Giles Claxton came by her death in consequence
of the frightful occurrence on Christmas Day, from bruises
and contusions inflicted on her person by a man unknown,
who acted whether from nervous apprehensioa or felonious
intent said Jury cannot say." The broken plank, or piece
of timber, was proved by one of the witnesses to have been
in the same state before Christmas. Amongst the inci-
dents, one is mentaxred illustrative of a mother's affection
fa r her off ppresence of mind. In the
midstof the iiihngria. andug
and uproar she threw her infant
sri great
from her into one of the boxes used for confessing penitents,.
and thus secured its safety, regardless of what happeucd to.
herself.
NEW CONIET.--The French papers seize with
avidity the appearance of a new comet, as one of the re.
workable series of prodigies by which the year 1840 is to
be made famous to all future time. Nothing but this they
aver, vsn. wanting to make it commemorable. The new
comet is certainly not fictitious. Dr. Bremikcr, of Berlin,
has just discovered one, which was remarked also at the
observatory of Vienna on the 18th of November, and which
was also observed by an astronomer at Modena on the Ist
of December. This comet is not visible except with the
assistance of a telescope. At this moment it is to be seen
in the constellation of Andromeda.
SEVEN HORSES KILLED 13YEATING WHEAT.
—On Sunday last a considerable loss was sustained by Mr.
Jonathan Infield, of West Fen, from a number of horses
getting at some thrsshcd wheat. A person who had charge
of the stock discovered a hole in the place where the
wheat was stowed, and observing the stock to loiter about
the place, stopped the same with wool. It appears that
at night the horses ra --saved the wool that they might :get
at the wheat, for twelve of them were violently ill in
the morning, and seven died in the course of the day, asnd
the five reir aiuing, it is feared, will share the same fate.

r.
year 1841 tb office
scant, and t e Com-
e same at tye meeting
by-law, the proposed
/
1111 AS' PO ATES.
23,1840.
--!
I eceive the following
!picric of a division
a General Committee
I Useful Knowledge,
to meet it with that
nvariably marked my
lectively and inaividu-
uital for fifteen years
e interests of the So-
ce of Treasurer which
I beg leave to tender