70 
last mentioned place it readies the Irwell in as polluted a 
state as any of the other streams. 
“ Besides the streams before described I may mention a 
little rivulet near Stock Street in Cheetham, which crosses 
York Street, and after forming several stagnant ponds enters 
the reservoir in Strange ways Park. There is also another 
rivulet, which crosses the New Bury Koad at Stocks, and 
flows down to the pool near Strangeways Hall. A third 
goes from Cheetwood by the end of Broughton Lane ; and a 
fourth by Broughton Grove. All these run into the Irwell. 
There is also a filthy and stagnant pool of water in front of 
the houses at Stony Knolls, which excites very little atten- 
tion among the inhabitants. In Pendleton there is a small 
stream which, though it has often been presented at the 
court leets as a nuisance, and is correctly designated “ The 
Black Ditch,” remains in just as bad a condition as it ever 
did. In all the streams above described a number of dead 
dogs and cats are to be seen in the various states of decom- 
position, bubbles of gas, light carburetted hydrogen, rise up 
to the surface, and, although offensive smells are met 
with at all times, they are by fdr the most annoying when 
the barometer has experienced a sudden depression after 
having been high for a considerable time previously. Sul- 
phurretted hydrogen is the gas which chiefly causes the 
odour, though doubtless phosphuretted hydrogen assists in 
some measure.” 
Such was the condition of the Manchester streams prior 
to 1814. Immediately after the publication of the Health 
of Towns Commissioners’ Report the sewerage of towns and 
villages was increased to a great extent, and in nearly all 
cases the refuse matter was conveyed into the neighbouring 
streams instead of being utilised in manuring the land as it 
had been previously employed. No doubt sanitary engi- 
neers have been the chief offenders in polluting our waters 
during the last 80 years, but manufacturers have also done 
