Address of Mr. Fairbairn the President. 373 
range of their artillery in a similar degree, and the energies of the na- 
tion must, therefore, be directed to maintain the superiority of our navy 
im armor as well as in armament.” * * #* 
chanical science; but I cannot omit to notice some of the great works 
that have of late years been constructed for the supply of water and for 
the drainage of towns. In former days 10 gallons of water to each per- 
Son per day was considered an ample allowance. Now, 30 gallons is 
much nearer the rate of consumption. I may instance the water-works 
of this city and of Liverpool, each of which yield a supply of from 20 
to 80 gallons of water to each inhabitant. In the former case the water 
18 collected from the Cheshire and Derbyshire hills, and after being con- 
veyed in tunnels and aqueducts a distance of 10 miles to a reservoir, 
Where it is strained and purified, it is ultimately taken a further distance 
by which the pure waters of Loch Katrine are distributed to the city of 
Glasgow. This work, recently completed by Mr. Bateman, who was 
distribution, e may reasonably look forward to an extension of simi- 
lar benefits to the metropolis, by the same Engineer, whore energies are 
how directed to an examination of the pure fountain of Wales, from 
whence the future supply of water to the great city is likely to be de- 
Nived, work of so gigantic a character may be looked upon as prob- 
lematical, but when it is known that six or seven millions of money would 
be sufficient for its execution, I can see no reason why an unde 
80 much consequence .to the health of London should not ultimately be 
accomplished.” * * 3d 
“A brief altesion must be made to that marvellous discovery which 
has given the present generation the power to turn the spark of heaven 
‘0 the p thonsand 
miles a current of electricity that renders intelligible words and thoughts. 
This wonderful discovery, so familiar to us, and a4 —_ Teens 
Nieations to 1 e owe to Wheatstone, Thompson 
every part of the globe, w a la 
surmounted, but in submarine telegraphy much remains to be accom- 
