THE WATER SUPPLY OF LONDON. 189 



present employed, and by the maintenance of a uniform rate 

 during the twenty-four hours. 



There is nothing heroic in laying pipes along the banks 

 of the Thames, or even making reservoirs in the Thames 

 basin. They do not appeal to the imagination like that 

 colossal work, the bringing of water to Birmingham from 

 the mountains of Wales, and there is little in such a scheme 

 to recommend it to the minds of the enterprising engineers 

 of to-day. Nevertheless, by means of storage, by utilising 

 springs, by sinking deep wells, and by such comparatively 

 simple means, we have, in my opinion, every reason to con- 

 gratulate ourselves that for half a century at least we have 

 at our dooi's, so to speak, an ample supply of water which for 

 palatability, wholesomeness, and general excellence will not 

 be surpassed by any supply in the world. 



E. Frankland. 



