And here united pour their silver streams, Among the figured rocks, in murmuring Falls, Musical ever." The Ruins of Rome.

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

A supply of pure and wholesome water is an object so essential to the health and prosperity of a city, that it should

form one of the leading features of the public improvements which characterize its growth. The advantages arising from it are so numerous, and the comforts so great, that every effort should be made to accomplish it.

The means which have been resorted to for such purposes in almost every city of importance in the Old World, are examples for us of the New, and should induce us early to avail ourselves of that important element of health. We contemplate with mingled emotions of wonder and admiration, those works of art which were achieved by ancient Rome in her palmy days of wealth and power, and among them we find that her Aqueducts hold a prominent place.

Among the ruins of cities whose history is shrouded in mystery on this continent, we find provisions for bringing water from distant sources. In the wilds of Central America,

the persevering traveller finds ruined cities buried in the depths of the forest, where nature is at work covering and concealing them among those ruins he tells us of the Aque- :

duct. We find them also among the ruins of cities along the western coast of South America. With such examples before us, we may consider that by the construction of the Croton Aqueduct for supplying the City of New-York with water has been secured an important measure for the promotion of its growth.