The water is carried through cast iron pipes, under the bed of Deer creek, to the intersection of Broadway and Third street, where it is distributed along all the principal streets, through pipes of oak logs with iron joints. About twenty-four miles of pipe have been already laid, and they are constantly extended as rapidly as public convenience and patronage require. The price of water varies according to the quantity supplied to a hydrant, the minimum rate being ten dollars. Those who take the water are at the expense of conducting it from the main pipe in the street, and furnishing hydrants, as well as keeping them in order. " Until 1826, the works were carried on individually. In that year, under the necessity of increasing its operations, the ownership was transferred to others, who became incorporated under the title of The Cincinnati Water Company,' and who, after repeated '

efforts to sell out to the city since, accomplished that arrangement, under the sanction of a public vote of the citizens, in 1839.

80 PRELIMINARY ESSAY. The report of the superintendent of the works, for 1840, will serve to explain their present condition.

Satement of the Condition of the Water Works, on the 15th of December, 1840. There are now in the city, Wooden pipes, from 1 to 2 5 inches in diameter, 19 miles. Iron pipes, from 4 to 20 inches in diameter, - - 4 "

- Making in all, 23J There have been laid since the purchase of the works by the city, Wooden pipes of 2 inches diameter, ----- 3,337 feet, " Iron pipes of 4 to 10 inches diameter, 3,311