446 
The Water Economy of France 
which every possible contingency is foreseen and properly met 
with a remedy ; but this might extend my paper beyond reason- 
abk' limits. I will, then, bring this part of my subject to a close 
with a brief notice of the obligation imposed by the legislature 
to clear the bed of rivers, both public and private property, from 
any natural or accidental obstruction, so as to ensure a normal 
outfall, and keep the water down to a proper level. The Roman 
law distinctly enforces the cleansing of the beds of rivers, with 
the object either of removing obstructions from their channels, 
and so preventing their overflow, or secondly, of insuring the 
supply of wholesome and pure water to those who have a right to 
make use of them ; or thirdly, guarding against the infection 
caused by stagnant water. Nisi enini purt/are et reficere fontem 
licuerit millus ejus usus erit, and, as another text has it, ad salu- 
britatem and ad tutelam civitatum pertinent. 
As regards the obligations incumbent upon the owners of 
running streams, the law is as simple as it is clear. The state, 
as owner of all navigable rivers, is bound to clear them of all 
obstructions, as are likewise the proprietors of private streams, 
over the whole extent of their possessions. 
Such are the principal features of the French law of water in 
its immediate bearing upon the interests of agriculture. The 
laws affecting sewage and noxious waters present important con- 
siderations, which may be treated of in a future communication. 
I close this paper, then, with the expression of a hope that it 
may lead the way to a full and careful investigation of the 
English law on the subject of the economy of the English waters, 
so that the attention of the legislature and of the agricultural 
community may be directed to the examination and revision of 
these enactments. 
In France, as we have seen, first an absolute monarchy and 
next revolutionary frenzy, although evils in themselves, did good 
service to agriculture by removing the trammels which arbitrary, 
irresponsible self-interest had imposed upon the rivers of France. 
It remains for constitutional England, by enlightened foresight 
and public spirit, to reap similar fruits of progress without under- 
going similar revulsions. 
By the light of the old Roman law, not less venerable than 
feudal traditions, we may see how provision may best be made 
for the general interests of the community, and the welfare of 
each individual proprietor, with respect to the supply ot water. 
Those southern provinces in which the Roman code was most 
thoroughly established, and has to the largest extent survived, 
bear practical testimony to the soundness of its enactments by the 
superiority which, vinder many reverses of fortune, they still retain 
in all that relates to irrigation. 
The British Isles, having a climate in which, under the 
