their feet runs a clear stream of water ; in the distance is seen the city, with her tall spires and masts pointing to the clouds — the whole surrounded with the inscription, Manhattan Temperance Benevolent Society, organised February 23d, 1841 ; on the other side of the banner represents a Ship Yard, with a ship in frame, and the carpenters to work at it ; in one side of the yard is a well of water, and one of the men drinking out of the bucket ; at a distance we see a ship under full sail in a storm, representing the storm of intemperance ; above, you discerne the clouds breaking away, and the rainbow of pro- mise, assuring us that the storm is passing over, and there is yet hope for the poor drunk- ard ; it is surrounded with the inscription, " Auxiliary to the Washington Temperance Benevolent Society of New York." Next followed the officers of the Society, viz : George Hull, President, John R. Ames, Vice President, Wm. Bennet, Secretary, David L. Young, Treasurer. In the 74 294 CELEBRATION OF THE centre of the line was a small banner, carried by three boys ; on it was the representation of a decanter of brandy, upside down, with the brandy running out, with the inscription over the top, " Right Side Up ;" in the rear, was a white banner, with the inscription of Man- hattan Temperance Benevolent Society of New York. The Staff Marshal was Silas Pearsall. The Festivities in the Park on the return of the Procession, At two o'clock, a part of the advanced guard of the procession, consisting of a detachment of the Washington Grays, gallopped up to the front of the City Hall, and announced to the officers in attendance there, that the cavalcade had reached the Chatham Square on its return. Measures were immediately taken to clear the space in front of the City Hall, as also the scaffolding which had been erected for the accommodation of the Sacred Music Society and the orators of the day. At this time the rear of the left wing of the vast procession was still filing past the west side of the Park, so that at the most moderate computation it could not be less than seven miles in length. At 20 minutes past two, his Honor the Mayor and the members of the Common Council, foreign Consuls, and invited guests, took their stations on the front of the Hall, which then presented a most animated spectacle, every nook and niche being crowded with spectators. The troops then passed in review order before the assembly, and were followed by the other portions of the procession, with the exception of some few detach- ments which filed off, and entered the Park by the southeastern gate. By half past four o'clock, the immense cavalcade had filed off and been stationed at convenient distances in the Park, whereupon the Grand Marshal, Gilbert Hopkins, announced to the orator of the day that the Mayor was ready to hear him. Samuel Ste- vens, Esq., President of the Board of Water Commissioners, then advanced to the front of the platform and delivered the following address, which was listened to with the most patient attention, Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen of the Common Council : In delivering over the Croton water, and the works on this island, I have been requested by your Committee to make such remarks as the occasion may suggest. Prom the earliest period of the history of our city, the attainment of pure and whole- some water has been a subject of the highest interest. The Tea Water Pump, situated near the corner of Pearl and Chatham streets, was, for a long period of time, the grand source of all drinkable water for the lower part of the city. CROTON AQ.UEDUCT. 295 Mr. Stevens then gave a rapid sketch of the various schemes, propositions, and devices, for supplying the city — all which having been presented more at large in the memoir, are omitted here. Mr. Stevens then continued — We of New York have therefore now got the great desideratum, an abundant supply of pure and wholesome water, to be sure at a great cost — nine millions of dollars, exclu- sive of the main and distributing pipes throughout the city, (now laid to the extent of 130 miles,) exclusive of the interest accumulating on the cost, being in all twelve millions of dollars. Well, what of that ! does it not belong to the system which Eternal Wisdom has inflicted on the world 1 — that the greatest blessings can only be procured at the greatest cost and sacrifices ? What is this water to do for us 1 It is to protect our