Polynesian., 1850-06-08
directly to this reservoir, without being In

tercepted for any intermediate supply, ex-
cePt for the fountain on the Common. The
object OF the reservoir is to preserve as uni
form as possible, the elevation of the head
under which the water will be supplied in all
parts OF the city, Notwithstanding the draughts
which will be made upon il from every quar-
ter. at the same hours of the day.
The reservoir at South Boston is of great
er dimensions, containing 500 900 gallons
1t is situated on Telegraph Hill, and will be
surrounded by puddled embankment and
glacis, similar to the artificial portion Of the
enclosure of the reservoir at Brookine. The
reservoir, and a public square, laid out on
lands not necessary for the reservoir, will be
a public resort for the citizens, and will en-
bellish that part of the city.
| This reservoir, and the distribution in South
Boston, are supplied by a twenty-four inch
pipe, which branches from the thirty-six inch
main leading from Brookline, and crosses the
channel at the South Boston bridge. This
pipe in crossing the channel, is protected by
a strong box of wood, directly below the
bridge and above the level of tide water, un-
I'll it approaches the deep navigable channel
at the draw. 1t is there carried across the
channel below the water, in the form Of an
inverted syphon, which is sunk into an exca-
waited channel, and covered with earth, to
protect it against injury.
Many other branches divsrge from the
thirtysix main, for the supply of the souther-
| ly and central parts of the city; one ofwhich
of twenty inches diameter, connects with
Beacon Hill reservoir, to discharge water
into it, or receive supply from it, as occa-
sion may require.
The most expensive portion of the works
consists of the iron pipes for introducing the
water from the Brooklne reservoir, and dis
trbuting it throughout the city. These pipes
are of ample dimensions, the greater part of
those for distribution being sixteen, twelve,
or six inches diameter, according to the ex-
tent of the streets supplied. Twelve or six
teen incn pipes are used in the larger streets,
and four inch in courts and streets Of limited
extent The whole length of these pipes al
ready laid in the streets is severr1y-five and
half miles, Fire hydrants, supplied with
hose, and placed in charge of the Fire depart
ment, are laid beneath the sidewalks through
out the city, at intervals of about two hun
dred and fifty feet From these hydranis the
water is discharged through an orifice Of iwo
and half inches diameter, under the press
ure of head, in great part Of the city, of
one numbered feet, and in most parts suffi-
cient to convey the water 10 the highest part
of every building Without the aid of hose,
the hydrants are found very efficient in ex
tinguishing fires, far exceeding in power any
fire engine in use. Since the introduction of
the water, every fire has been speedily ex-
tingushed within the limits of the building
where it originated Three fire hydrants
have beer placed at the disposition of the
municipal authorities of Roxbury, and one at
the disposition of the selectmen of Brookline,
contiguous to the mains leading from the
Brookline reservoir. There are six hundred
and sxty-two fire hydrants in the city, and
eigbty-eight in South Boston.
The rates of charge for water for the use
of families are-S5 for every family occupy
ing house valued for taxation at S5 900 or
under; SIS for every family occupying
house valued at SIS, ,OOG or upwards; and
for families occupying houses valued at inter
mediate rates, 81 for each ST 900 of the val
uation. This charge is for water for all do
mestic purposes, including private baths,
water closets, etc. No public hydrants for
the gratutous supply Of water for domestic
uses are provided.
is most strikingly displayed, is at the foun
tain on the Common. pipe of sixteen in
ches in diameter, connected with the thirty
inch main which leads to the Beacon Hill re-
seryoir, is conducted beneath the Frog Pond,
al ancient sheet of water in n central part of
the Common, and by means of a gradual
curvature, is made to point vertically at its
termination, little above the surface Of the
pond Upon this pipe a cap, with a orifice
of any form thought best adapted to produce
a desirable effect, may be placed at pleasure.
A large number of forms of Jets have been
devised, and played in turn, for the gratifi-
cation of the public, from the simple column
six inches in dameter, rising to an elevation
of more than eighty feet, and falling in grace
fu folds on all sides, to a spreading cylin
drical column, widening in the form of
broad vase, diffusing itself into spray, and
falling over wide space in drops of rain
A three inch jet rises in still atmosphere to
a height of ninety-two feet above the surface
of the fountain base. The water mounting
in one of these largest columns, burst upon
the sight of the immense multitude who as
sembled on the 25th of October, ISIS. to
commemorate the first introduction of the
water into the city.
The number of service pipes now laid IS
1909. The number through which the
water is admitted is l. 1888, supplying that
number of tenants The water rents are paid
annually in advance. The average rate OF
water rent paid by each tenant is little over
So. The quantity of water supplied daily to
the citizens, including the supply of the foun-
tain, varies from to A ,0O0, 900 gallons.
The amount expended by the Water Com
missioners, including the whole cos, of the
works to the lst Sept. 1919, is So, 796, 975 30.
LIVE AND LET LIvE-This is one of those
homely and time-worn maxims, which under
simple garb of words contain mint OF
practical philosophy. The radical idea is,
that we should so project and carry out our
plan or mode of making our own living,
as not to hinder any body else from living
and enjoying their share OF this worlds COM
LIo,.;nrs There ia roorn en0uph