archway, for more than forty miles, at length reaches our magnificent reservoirs, from

298 CELEBRAION OF THE whence it is conducted by subterranean conduits, extending one hundred and thirty additional miles, throughout the greatest portion of our city. The necessary additions, comparatively not large, are now in rapid progress, which will diffuse the salutary current through every remaining artery and vein of our metropolis, exciting new and healthful pulsations in her system, and spreading comfort, activity, and vigor throughout her entire frame.

Of the valuable consequences which will be derived from this work, some may not be developed until after successive years. The little experience already had, points to many useful results that were not foreseen. Among its immediate and palpable benefits, are its influences on domestic convenience and comfort the promotion of sobriety and

personal cleanliness the purification of our streets the consequent increase of public health the facilities it will extend to mechanical and manufacturing industry the vast increase of steam-power among us, to be employed in the arts the supply to our mariners of a necessary element, which will remain comparatively unaffected by change of climate, and pre-eminently, the security it will afford against the dangers of conflagration. Each neighborhood, uniting its inhabitants for purposes of mutual safety, may promptly arrest the ravages of fire in its early stages ; and if such associations be numerously formed, extensive fires need but rarely occur. Large as we may deem the expense of this vast structure, we cannot but consider it as cheaply purchased, when we reflect that the