1827.] Supply furnished to the Metropolis. 459 



Company, we shall set out by stating, that we mean to pass over, very 

 shortly, all the affair of the original promises and " Prospectusses" of that 

 establishment. These documents, as quoted in the " Dolphin," and 

 taken in connexion with all that followed, no doubt are laughable 

 enough. 



One of the advertisements we think the second that the company 

 issued after its formation runs thus : 



GRAND JUNCTION WATER WORKS. 



" The proprietors have proved the absolute power of their works, the excellencies 

 of their water, and the certain success of their plan. 



" They give so copious and regular a supply, that the water is always on. This 

 abundant supply is constantly fresh, because it is always coming in. Their 

 powers raise water above the highest house in London ; and this economical 

 arrangement is felt in laundries, nurseries, and upper stories, for which high service 

 no additional charge is made. 



" Ravages of fire are increased by delay and scanty supply. No houses watered 

 by this Company can suffer in these respects. Their water is never off: their 

 pipes are always full. The water, being perfectly clear, would not, in case of 

 fire, tarnish the furniture. 



" The main supply is derived from the rivers Colne and Brent, and from a reser- 

 voir of nearly a hundred acres, fed ly the streams of the 'oale ofRuislip. And 

 water will be furnished gratis for watering the streets." 



This is, no doubt, sufficiently ridiculous (looking to the result); but we all 

 know what the promises of projectors are before to-day. While the new 

 Grand Junction Company wanted to get away the Chelsea and New River 

 Companies' customers (as the " Dolphin" party now want to get away the 

 Grand Junction Company's customers), we dare say that they would readily 

 have engaged that every drop of the water that they poured into the cis- 

 terns of London should be rose-water, or holy- water. Of course, as soon 

 as the end was attained, a considerable change of policy ensued. The 

 " daily" supply of water was changed to a supply twice a week; the 

 absence of " lire supply" had to be complained of rather oftener than 

 before ; the " high service" was charged for additionally, and at a smart 

 rate ; the water to water the streets was not given gratis^ but charged 

 for at a penny a hogshead , and, instead of the refreshing " streams of 

 the Colne and the Brent, and the Vale of Ruislip," a lucky bargain (which 

 enabled the Grand Junction Company to pay a dividend to its proprietors) 

 brought their Dolphin to the Thames, in a very unlucky situation, at the 

 foot of Chelsea Hospital. All this, however, we take to be a matter very 

 little worth considering : the real question is as to all the companies 

 not what their promises have been, but whether the existing state of their 

 supply is one with which the public ought to remain satisfied ; and, as 

 between the Grand Junction Company and a great portion of their cus- 

 tomers, we are bound to say we think that it is not. 



That the water supplied by the Grand Junction Company to its cus- 

 tomers is, or has been, very often found to be in an objectionable con- 

 dition, stands, we apprehend, beyond a doubt. IVlr. Wright, the author 

 of " The Dolphin" (the pamphlet), gives evidence upon this point which 

 is unanswerable. A specimen of the Grand Junction water sent to 

 Messrs. Joyce, the operative chemists of Compton-street, for analysis, 

 was declared, by those gentlemen, to be found u loaded with decomposed 

 vegetable matter, in such quantity as to be unfit for use without tedious 

 purification." Samples of the same water, carried by Mr. Wright for 

 inspection to Mr. Abernethey, to Dr. Lambe, to Mr. Thomas, the surgeon, 



3 N 2 



