146 MR. J. P. JOULE ON THE UTILIZATION OF THE 
XI.— On the Utilization of the Sewage of London and 
other large towns. 
By J. P. Jouve, LL.D., F.R.S., &e. 
Read November 30th, 1858. 
I nave learned with regret that a system of metropolitan 
drainage has been adopted, and is about to be attempted 
by the Metropolitan Board of Works, which I consider to 
be a stride in the wrong direction, and which, if persevered 
in and copied by other towns, must be fraught with disas- 
trous consequences to the national prosperity. I cannot 
however say tnat I felt much surprised at the intelligence, 
as I knew that the advice and assistance of scientific men 
had not been sought, except in one or two solitary in- 
stances, and that the professional engineers consulted had 
been limited to only a few, however eminent, individuals, 
who differ among themselves as to the contemplated works. 
On a question of such vital importance as that which has 
been raised, I think all ought to contribute what experi- 
euce, information, or common seuse they possess, and so 
form a concentrated expression of opinion which cannot be 
disregarded. I therefore, though the subject is somewhat 
new to me, hesitate not to introduce it to the Society, in 
the hope of eliciting the opinions of those who may have 
studied it better than myself. 
From the Report* of Messrs. Hawksley, Bidder and 
* Report presented to the Metropolitan Board of Works, ordered by the 
House of Commons to be printed 13th July, 1858. 
