THE WATER SUPPLY OF JERUSALEM, 23 



drains discovered by Sir C. Warren near Bir Eyiib. The 

 solid matter settled down in the tanks, whilst the fluid ran 

 off; and the tanks could be reached by several flights of 

 rock-hewn steps when it was necessary to empty them. 

 The restoration and extension of this system would seem to 

 be the best way of meeting existing difficulties, and of 

 improving the sanitary state of the city. 



Discussion. 



The Secretary. — Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen: It is 

 my privilege to be allowed to move a hearty vote of thanks 

 to Sir Charles Wilson, for his kindness in delivering this interesting 

 and most instructive address this evening. 



Some tiine ago it occurred to the Council that they might, 

 perhaps, induce Sir Charles, notwithstanding the constant calls 

 upon his time, to give one of our ordinary papers on a subject in 

 connection with Jerusalem, particularly the "water supply, in 

 which we are all interested ; but, afterwards, we thought on 

 reconsideration that the subject would wai*rant our asking liini to 

 give the annual address, as he has done this evening. 



I am. sure you will agree with me that the Council came to a 

 wise decision [applause], and that we are greatly indebted to 

 him for the address he has given. Jerusalem is a city of the 

 world to which all eyes are turned, hotli of Jew and Gentile, and 

 those who have been residents for any time in Jerusalem know 

 how deficient it is in two of the great requirements of a city — 

 viz., water supply and proper sanitary drainage. To myself it 

 has always been a wonder how it is that the inhabitants have not 

 been, from time to time, swept away hj typhoid, cholera, or some 

 other disease arising from the want of drainage. If things had 

 been allowed to take the course they ought to have done when 

 Lady Burdett-Coutts so handsomely oifered to pay for the restora- 

 tion of the water supply to Jerusalem from Solomon's Pools — if 

 her wish had been carried out, which was to call in the advice of 

 Sir Charles Wilson himself, who has not mentioned that point (but 

 I believe I am right in saying this) — to put the money into his 

 bands and to have been as adviser and engineer for the carrying out 



