Il6 WINTER SKETCHES. 



also breed pestilence in the city. If the job is 

 ever completed, $20,000,000 will not cover the 

 cost. But that is the least consideration in 

 this terrible blunder." 



Such was the opinion, and I doubt not the 

 sincere opinion, of the defeated general of the 

 pessimists. On the other hand, a triumphant 

 optimist who, by the bye, would get rid of a 

 large tract of land, worth from $50 to $100 

 per acre for farming purposes, at a valuation of 

 $300, pitched his jubilate in the highest key, 

 " What a grand idea it was ! " he exclaimed. 

 " Now the city can spread itself indefinitely. 

 Ten million people will have all the water they 

 want, and then what a thing of beauty, what a 

 joy forever, this lovely sheet of water will be ! 

 Ten miles long, indenting the shore with 

 charming little bays where the tall shadows of 

 the hills and trees will reflect themselves as in 

 the mirror lake of the Yosemite ; boulevards 

 all around this great expanse, country seats 

 with lawns sloping to the banks and — " 



"But," I asked, interrupting him, " how 

 about the drainasje from these houses?" 

 '' Oh," he replied, " that is the easiest thing in 

 the world to arrange. Great mains with pipes 

 to cross the brooks can be laid along the 



