Clement's well, may be esteemed the principal, as most frequented, both by scholars from the schools, and youth from the city. when in a summer's evening they are disposed to take an airing." The antiquarian, Stowe, who published his " Survey of London," in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, gives this account of the source and supply of water to the city :
" Anciently, until the Conqueror's time, and for 200 years afterwards, the citie of London was watered (beside the famous river of the Thames on the south part,) with the river of Welsj as it was then called, on the west which water is called Wallbrooke, running ;
through the midst of the citie into the river Thames, serving the heart thereof: with another water or bourne running through Langbourne Ward. In the west was another great water called Oldborne. Then there were three principal fountains, or wells in the other * * * suburbs; Holywell, Clement's well, and Clerke's well. Besides which, they had in every gate and lane of the citie, divers faire wells and fresh springs and after this
other means have been sought to supply the want. ***** manner was this citie then served with sweet fresh waters which being since decayed, ;
" The first cistern, castellated with stone in the citie of London, was called the great conduit in Westcheap, which was begun to be builded in the year 1235."*
The water for this cistern was derived from Paddington, and ran a distance of 1100 rods, or about three and three quarter miles, through leaden pipes, this being the first record of such a mode of distribution. This not extensive work occupied fifty years in the construction !