diameter with stop cocks. This reservoir contains four millons of gallons. All the water, being raised into the reservoirs one hundred and two feet above low tide, fifty-six feet above the highest ground in the city, is thence conveyed to the city, by iron pipes." On 24th October, 1822, the steam engines of the old work were stopped, never again, we presume, to be wanted. The actual consumption of water in Philadelphia, is stated at 2,000,000 gallons in winter, and 3,000,000 in summer, " when the streets are washed." PRELIMINARY ESSAY. 79 The distribution of the water from Fairmount, is by two iron mains of 20 inches diameter, to the junction of Chestnut and Broad Streets ; and thence by intersecting pipes through various parts of the city ; superceding the wooden pipes, or bored logs, of the first works. The whole expense of this admirable work was $426.000, exclusive of the distri- bution pipes from the reservoir. The city had previously expended in experiments more than a million of dollars — raised by a general tax on the property assessed for other city expenses. Cincinnati, the imperial city of the west, next claims our notice, from the extent of its water works. From a valuable volume, by Charles Cist, entitled Cincinnati in 1841, we take the annexed account of them. " This important establishment was originally projected by Col. Saml. W. Davies, in the year 1817. In May of that year, he obtained from the city council a charter, granting the exclusive privilege of laying pipes, &c., in the streets of the city, for the term of 99 years. " A suitable building for his operations was commenced in 1819, on the bank of the river, a short distance above Deer creek. This edifice, which is appropriated to the ma- chinery for raising water, has its foundation laid deep and strong in the rock which, at this place, forms the bed of the Ohio. Its walls, commencing about ten feet above low water mark, are built of limestone. They are eight feet thick at the foundation, diminishing gradually to a height of thirty-five feet, where they are five feet thick. Here the brick work commences. The building on the river side is ninety feet high. A well, which has been excavated in the solid rock beneath the building, communicates by a canal with the deep water, and thus guarantees a constant supply at the lowest possible depression of the river. The water is raised from this well by lifting-pumps to a point above high water mark, and is thence forced up to the reservoirs on the hill, a distance of about seven hundred feet. These reservoirs are elevated one hundred and fifty feet above low water mark, and about thirty feet above the upper plane of the city. The machinery employed for the purpose is a forty horse power steam engine. " The largest of these reservoirs is one hundred and three feet by fifty feet, and the smaller ninety-four feet by forty-five feet. The average depth of the whole is twelve feet, and their capacity one million six hundred thousand gallons. 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 neces- sity 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