In addition to the supply from the New River, this company, in fulfilment of their contract with the London Bridge Water Works Company, have a steam engine of 100 horse power on the banks of the Thames, between Blackfriars and Southwark iron

bridge, which, through a main 33 inches in diameter, extending into the river, can pump up 5000 hogsheads per hour ; so as in any contingency to ensure a supply to those families

deriving water from the Bridge Company. This engine, however, though always ready for use, is not used.

The present capital of the New River Company, in amount actually expended, is about 1,250,000, or six and a quarter millions of dollars.

The Chelsea Water Works were next established, an4 by act of Parliament in 1723, the Company was incorporated. The works are situated at the' north-east part of Chelsea reach, on the banks of the Thames, whence all the water is derived. It is now

pumped up by two steam engines into the reservoir, whence, after passing through a filtering bed, occupying nearly an acre, and filled with gravel and sand, and capable of

clarifying daily, 2,240,000 gallons, it is dispensed to the consumers.

PRELIMINARY ESSAY. 57

This company distributes daily over 2,000,000 gallons, to about 13,000 houses, and can raise it 128 feet above the level of the Thames. The cost of this work, with its improved filtering system, was about 70,000, or

$350,000. The West Middlesex Works, after the lapse of nearly a century since the erection of the Chelsea Works, were completed in 1811. They are situated on the north bank of the Thames, near Hammersmith, and about nine and a half miles from London Bridge. The whole water is procured from the river by conduit pipes of 36 inches diameter, extending into the channel of the river.