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an outlet from the sides of the hills ; they are found also at 
considerable depths below the surface. I am not in a 
position to give from chemical analysis the component parts 
of the water, but it is generally of a very superior quality ; 
and when proper arrangements have been made, and skilfully 
executed, failure in securing quantity is the exception and 
not the rule. In the strata overlying the Soft or Halifax low 
bed of coal (known by that name in the West Riding of 
Yorkshire, and as Mountain Mine in Lancashire) there is a 
peculiarity which has proved hitherto a never-failing supply 
of water, and of a superior quality. 
From whence are these subterraneous reservoirs supplied ? 
surely there is only one source — from the rains which fall 
from the clouds ; for there is no direct communication 
between the elevated hills and the sea or the rivers. That 
there is a constant source of supply must be evident, or we 
are reduced to the alternative that these springs will fail at 
a period not very remote. Hence the necessity of ascer- 
taining whether our means of supply are unlimited, or 
whether it be not necessary to enforce a more wise economy 
in the use of that which we possess. There are few of 
Nature's bounties with which we are so lavish as water, and 
yet none is more essential to our comfort. 
The object of this Paper is principally to point out a few 
of the causes why persons fail in obtaining a sufficient 
quantity of good water. We particularly notice three — 
1st. Places are selected where water does not abound. 
2nd. Persons do not ascertain beforehand the quantity of 
water they are likely to require. 
3rd. The projects set on foot are often not compatible with 
the objects sought to be accomplished. 
There is a notion very prevalent, but not the less absurd, 
" that water in all cases ought to, and will, rise to the surface 
of the ground, no matter what the elevation may be." On 
