every of the defaulting communities which shall steadily and manfully persevere to the final completion of its works, will find in the resulting benefits, ample means for redeeming the faith plighted to the public creditor. It is in this point of view that the completion of the costly structure we this day commemorate, is replete with encouragement and instruction. Sir, let us for a moment suppose that the Municipal Legislature after incurring a heavy debt, had, in a moment of prejudice, passion, or fear, before the completion of the aqueduct, suspended its further construction. Could we imagine a spectacle more degrading than the dismembered work lying in fragments throughout its length of forty miles, from the Croton "Lake to the confines of the city ? Who could then be found " so poor to do it reverence," and who so sternly virtuous, as to submit without complaint, to the taxation which such folly would render necessary ? Let us then adopt as a cardinal maxim in the conduct of these great enterprises, that benefits must be made to keep pace with burthens ; in a word, that works once commenced, must be steadily and perseveringly prosecuted, and we afford the surest guarantee for the preservation of public faith.

The Croton aqueduct is but one of many works of physical improvement, constituting portions of an extensive system, commenced in a season of great prosperity, and all like this tending to develope the resources and promote the honor and welfare of the country.