When the river was at its average state, the Commissioners directed portions of water to be taken from different parts of it, at different times of the tide, and especially from those parts whence the companies draw their water, and also from situations higher up the river, where its quality could in no degree be influenced by the tide. To compare the state of the Thames water at London under different circumstances, they subsequently procured specimens from several parts of the river after an abundant fall of rain, and also others from places represented as particularly charged with impurities. A popular notion having prevailed that the water in the London Dock possessed peculiarly deleterious qualities, from an impregnation of copper, derived from the bottoms of ships, the Commissioners obtained portions of water from the dock taken at three different depths from the surface.

These specimens of water were analyzed by Dr. Bostock, "to ascertain how far the water of the Thames, contiguous to, or in the neighbourhood of London, is in a state proper for being employed in diet, and various other domestic purposes."

The general conclusion he deduces from the whole series of examinations, is expressed in the following passage of his Report:

"It appears that the water of the Thames, when free from extraneous substances, is in a state of considerable purity, containing only a moderate quantity of saline contents, and those of a kind which cannot be supposed to render it unfit for domestic purposes, or to be injurious to the health. But as it approaches the metropolis it becomes loaded with a quantity of filth, which renders it disgusting to the senses, and improper to be employed in the preparation of food. The greatest part of this additional matter appears to be only mechanically suspended in it, and separates by mere rest. It requires, however, a considerable length of time to allow of the complete separation; while, on account of its peculiar texture, and comminuted state, it is disposed to be again diffused through the water by a slight degree of agitation, while the gradual accumulation of this matter in the reservoirs must obviously increase the unpleasant odour and flavour of the water, and promote its tendency to the putrid state."

Regarding the greatest part of the extraneous matter in the Thames, as mechanically mixed with it, a variety of incidental circumstances will affect its quantity in the same situation, and under the same circumstances of the tide; but the observations are sufficiently uniform to warrant the Commissioners in concluding that the water is in the purest state at low tide, and the most loaded with extraneous matter at half ebb. It would appear, however, that a very considerable part, if not the whole of this extraneous matter, may be removed by filtration through sand, and still more effectually by a mixture of sand and charcoal.

The examination of the water taken from the London Dock showed that it did not contain the smallest appreciable quantity of copper.

From various inquiries respecting the state, purity, and general fitness for domestic use of Thames water, it appeared to be proved to the Commissioners, that the quality of water within the London district had suffered a gradual deterioration within the last ten years. This opinion is founded on the disappearance of fish from those parts of the river, and on the circumstance that the eels imported from Holland can now with great difficulty be kept alive in those parts of the Thames where they were formerly preserved in perfect health. Fishmongers in London also find it impossible to preserve live fish for any length of time in water taken from the same district.

The causes of these effects are perhaps principally to be traced to the increase of certain manufactories, amongst which those of coal-gas are the most prominent, polluting the river by their refuse-to the constant passage of steam-boats, by which the mud is stirred up, and to the peculiar nature of that mud, within the above-mentioned precincts. The great abundance with which water is supplied to the houses and manufactories of the metropolis, appears to be essentially connected with the augmented impurity of the river: for where refuse animal and vegetable matter of various descriptions used to be collected, and from time to time removed for the purposes of manure, it is now indiscriminately washed into the sewers, and conveyed into the Thames, and the sewers. themselves are rendered much cleaner than formerly, by the quantity of water which runs to waste, and which has ren

dered them less offensive, especially in those parts of the town where they used to be most liable to stagnation, and consequent putrescence. The water of the river is more polluted immediately after heavy rains, which force down the contents of the sewers, than after a continuance of dry weather, when its course is sluggish or altogether arrested. The great increase in the population of London and its suburbs on every side, must also be attended by a proportionate augmentation of extraneous matter carried into the Thames.

Other circumstances affect the fitness of the water, as now taken from the river for the supply of the town, such as the position of the suction pipes of the engines belonging to some of the companies, in regard to the mouths of the sewers, and the quantity of dead animals and offal thrown into the river in and about London.

Statements have been made respecting the insalubrity of the water as supplied by the companies. It is obvious that water receiving so large a proportion of foreign matter as the Thames, and so impure as to destroy fish, cannot, even when clarified by filtration, be pronounced entirely free from the suspicion of general insalubrity; nor does there appear any grounds for assuming the probability of any improvement in the state of the water drawn from the London district of the river.

Although the principal supply of water by the New River Company is not open to the same objectionable impregnations as that of the Thames, it is susceptible of much improvement. The occasional deficiency in quantity, which suggested the necessity of the engine at Broken Wharf, might be obviated by allowing a portion of that supply to be drawn from the River Lea, at Lea Bridge. But here the water is occasionally very muddy, receiving as it does the drainage of a considerable extent of country, in consequence of a right claimed by proprietors of adjacent lands, and which the company have at present no means of obviating; neither have they any power to prevent persons from bathing in their aqueduct.

The removal of these evils, together with the adoption of an extensive system of filtration, would materially contribute to the perfection of the New River supply. Great benefit would result if the inducement to bathe in the New River

were superseded by the establishment of public Baths; and it was stated in evidence that the New River Company have voluntarily offered to furnish sufficient supplies of water for a purpose of such general utility.

The Commissioners thus conclude the report.:

Taking into consideration the various circumstances to which we have now adverted, together with the details of evidence by which they are proved and illustrated, and also the facts derived from our own observation and experience, we are of opinion that the present state of the supply of water to the metropolis is susceptible of, and requires improvement. That many of the complaints respecting the quality of the water are well founded; and that it ought to be derived from other sources than those now resorted to, and guarded by such restrictions as shall at all times ensure its cleanliness and purity.

RUINS OF HOLY PLACES. A SONNET.

BY REGINALD AUGUSTINE.

There is a spell in these hush'd cemetries,

Entrancing, when the moon sleeps on her cloud;
And Fancy, in her rapt existence sees

Cowl'd monks and vestals at their altar bow'd.
And tho' the chapel has no sacred niche,

Nor clear hozannas to the blue heaven swell,-
Still, gushing amid flow'rs serene and rich,
Moans the pure current of its sainted well!-
But deep and beauteous is the oracle,

Which, o'er these ruins, sheds its kindling ray:
Yes, Virtue's radiance in her dust shall dwell,
When helm and gonfalon have pass'd away;
And thoughts, like countless flow'rs upon the sod,
Exalt the soul to holiness-and God!

THE UNCONSIDERED VOW.

The gaudy, babbling, and remorseless day,
Is crept into the bosom of the sea.-Shakspeare.
At middle watch of night,

When sleep o'erhangs the world:

Fell satan, in disguise,

Stalks out upon the earth;

And laughs at human frailty,

Himself the cause.-J. H.

"Tis night, the demons issue from the earth;
To spend their time in evil-some in mirth."

In the year 1457, on one of those cold and dark nights, frequent in the gloomy month of November, Theodore Von Linderstein, a young student of Gottenburg, of good family and fortune, though unfortunately addicted to the baneful vice of gaming, issued from a tavern, not many yards from the university, which was the general resort of the students as well as the idlers of the city.

By his haggard look, and distorted countenance, it was evident he had been at his usual and favorite occupation; by the same tokens, it was very clear he had been far from a successful player. In the madness of the moment, as he emerged from that receptacle of iniquity, the gaming house, he said, May the fiend take me to the mouth of hell, if ever I throw dice, or touch a card again!" saying this, he drew his cloak around his shoulders, for the rain began to pour in torrents, accompanied by the distant sound of thunder, and livid flashes of lightning.

Every sound was hushed, and not a human soul was seen, as Theodore walked down the street leading to the university, whose large clock pointed to the hour of twelve, when, on a sudden, his ears were assailed by a continued peel of laughter; he stopped-looked around-but saw no one. 'Tis strange,' said he," from whence this noise can proceed; but they are happy, whilst I"- As he spoke, his eye was arrested by a light which came from an old and seemingly uninhabited dwelling, which had every appearance of having been unoccupied for some years; he approached it for the purpose of procuring a shelter from the rain, which now increased; finding the door was open, he entered, when, seated in a room, he discovered a little man, with a most remarkable