223 
THE EMPEROR FOUNTAIN AT CHATS WORTH, 
His Grace the Duke of Devonshire had for many years in contemplation the 
erection of an extensive fountain, which should at once surpass anything that 
had been previously done ; and being favoured by the natural advantages of the 
place, a survey of the ground was commenced in December last, and the different 
levels taken under the direction of Mr. Paxton, to whom the whole management 
of the works was committed. 
As this monster fountain is one of the wonders of the day, some details, and 
other matters, relative to its formation, &c., may not be out of place. 
Although Chatsworth is well supplied with water, it nevertheless became 
necessary to have an additional supply that should be constant ; and for this 
purpose a new reservoir was made behind the " Stand," and a conduit cut to 
convey the water to it from the Chesterfield road. 
Much consideration was given to the nature of the pipes which were to convey 
the water from the reservoir, down the sloping hill, to the fountain, in order that, 
while security and strength might be obtained on the one hand, no unnecessary 
waste of metal might be occasioned on the other. Yarious hydraulic and pneu- 
matic experiments were made, so as to arrive at a proper conclusion on this 
important part of the business. The results (which may be gathered from the 
sequel) appeared so perfectly satisfactory to Mr. Paxton, that he at once fixed 
upon the various forms and dimensions ; but in order to strengthen his own 
opinions, he consulted the most eminent engineers of the country, and found that 
the elaborate calculations of scientific men fully confirmed his original ideas : the 
work was accordingly commenced. 
A drain, or conduit, was cut from the Chesterfield road to the reservoir, winding 
round the hill in serpentine forms to find its proper level. This drain commences 
at the Humberley Brook, near one of the bridges on the above-named road, and is 
increased by tributary springs from the moors, passing along with a gentle fall to 
the reservoir : the drain is 2^ miles long. The reservoir covers a space of 8 acres^ 
and its average depth is about 7 feet ; its greatest depth at the head being 13 feet, 
where there is a solid mass of masonry, with a drop-valve to let the water off and 
on, and a waste-pipe and valve for the surplus water. 
The first length of piping on the top of the hill, where the ground is compara- 
tively level, is 270 feet, 15 in. bore, and f in. metal. 
The middle length is 1386 feet, 15 in. bore, and 1 in. metal. 
The lower length is 959 feet, 15 in. bore, and li- in, metal; making in all 
a length of 2621 feet, or 873 yards 2 feet. 
At 181 feet from the fountain, there is a double-acting valve (a beautiful piece 
of mechanism, made by Messrs. Bury and Kennedy, of Liverpool), which takes 
about five minutes to fairly open or shut, so that the whole may never be let on or 
