which are laid the -iron pipes, connecting the receiving and distributing reservoirs, is nearly completed. Something remains to be done at one or two culverts, and perhaps something more ought to be done in the way of regu- lating the Avenue. DISTRIBUTING RESERVOIR AT MURRAY'S HILL. — This work is now nearly com- plete ; about one-half the length of the enclosing wall is finished, and the remaining half CROTON ACIUEDUCT. 195 requires little to complete it but the cornice. So far as it has been tried by the pressure of water 20 feet in depth, it has proved perfectly tight, and its performance in all respects is entirely satisfactory. When this is completed, and the streets and grounds about it are regulated, it will be one of the most interesting objects of utility and curiosity to citizens and strangers, which our country affords. Ever since the completion of the masonry of the aqueduct, it has been frequently and carefully examined, with a view to detect defects, if any existed, or failure, if any should take place ; and it has been found, with slight exceptions, to continue as perfect as on the day it was finished. In the few cases where imperfections have been found in the interior, they have been repaired, and the work improved in such manner as is supposed will secure its future per- manency ; the exterior covering of earth has, in several places, been enlarged and secured, sometimes by covering with turf, and sometimes by a layer of broken stones. Having described the progress and proximate completion of the work under our charge, we have the satisfaction further, formally, to communicate to the Common Coun- cil, that the dam, the aqueduct, and the reservoirs are now all in operation and success- fully performing the work for which they were designed. On the 8th June, the Com- missioners, accompanied by the engineers, commenced a journey through the aqueduct, on foot, which was completed in the two succeeding days, to Harlem river, a distance of 33 miles. The whole line having been found in good condition, orders were given to close the openings which had been left in the bottom, for the escape of water which flowed into the work in tunnels and deep cuttings. This having been done, and the dam raised sufficiently to cause the water to flow into the aqueduct, it was admitted to the depth of 18 inches, at 5 o'clock in the morning of the 22d June. A boat capable of car- rying four persons, which had been prepared for the purpose, called the " Croton Maid," was then placed in the aqueduct to be carried down by the current. She was navigated sometimes by one portion of the party, sometimes by another, during her singular voy- age, and arrived at Harlem river almost simultaneously with the first arrival of the water. The velocity with which the current flowed in the aqueduct was a matter of great inte- rest, and therefore carefully observed ; and we were much pleased to find that it was at a quicker rate than the calculations of the engineers had led us to expect. The velocity observed at that time was a mile in 40 minutes ; but subsequent observations, with the depth of water increased to 2 feet, have shown that it flows a mile in 36 minutes, and with a depth of 4 feet, the velocity will probably not fall far short of 2 miles per hour. On the arrival of the water at Harlem river on Thursday, the 23d June, formal notice of the event was given by the Commissioners to the Mayor and Common Council, who were also informed, at the same time, that it was our intention to admit it into the receiving reservoir at Yorkville on the succeeding Monday. This intention was completely carried out ; the water having been admitted into the northern division of the reservoir on that day at half past 4 o'clock, P. M., in the presence of a large assemblage, which included the Mayor and several members of the Common Council' the Governor of the State, the Lieut. Governor and the other members of the Court for the Correction of Errors, and many other distinguished persons. A salute of 38 guns was fired upon the occasion by a detachment of artillery, detailed for that service by Gen. Sanford. The "Croton Maid," which arrived soon afterwards at the reservoir, was hailed by the assembled citizens with much enthusiasm, as she afforded indubitable 196 MEMOIR OF THE evidence that a navigable river was flowing into the city, for the use of its inhabitants-. The President of the Board then presented the boat to the Fire Department of the city, (through their chief engineer, C, V. Anderson, Esq.,)