And again, supposing the pond to contain and furnish enough, it is a consideration well deserving attention, whether a pond, into which the filth from many of the streets must, without very great expense and care, be constantly discharged, and to which the contents of vaults, &c., will continually drain, is a desirable source from whence we should like to take water for drinking, cooking, &c., without taking into the account its noxious qualities, medically considered although it may be laid down as a general rule, ;

that the health of a city depends more on its water, than all the rest of the eatables and drinkables put together."

Mr. Weston, in like manner, says " It remains to examine the : competency of the waters of the Collect. The general bias of opinion seems to lean in favor of this scheme ;

92 MEMOIROFTHE and if it can be made satisfactorily to appear, that the required supply can be obtained from this source, I am ready to allow that it is a work, that would be soonest accomp] ish ed, and attended with the least expense. But we ought to be extremely cautious in hazarding an experiment, where the cost would be so great, and the event so doubtful. The

question is of infinite importance, and unfortunately, one that cannot be determined by abstract reasoning. The capacity of the Collect, has been attempted to be proved, by its present extent ; but that, in my mind, is a most fallacious mode of reasoning for however ;