1830.] 
of tvholesome Water in Calcutta. 
241 
paratus had been received from England, which, with the substitution of Europe 
for country rope, and of superior purchases for managing the rods, occasioned the 
next operation, or eighth in order from the commencement, to be prosecuted with 
superior facility. It began on the 19th May, and terminated July 15th, owing to 
the heavy rains. On the 15th November the work was resumed, and on the 11th 
January 1815, they had penetrated to a depth of 136 feet, or 8 feet below General 
Garstin’s limit. Beyond this they were unable to proceed, as the gin and ropes 
both gave way in attempting the removal of the borer, which was, therefore, left 
in the ground. In 1820 a ninth and tenth attempt were made. In this case also, 
after penetrating to 122^ and 128 feet, the rods broke and were left in the ground. 
These two operations complete the history, I believe, of the efforts yet made to 
obtain fresh springs by boring. The greatest depth attainpd was 136 feet, and 
even this depth was not attained without great efforts, and considerable sacrifices. 
When we compare this result with what has been done at home, where it is not 
uncommon to hear of depths of 500 and even of 600 feet being attained, we shall be 
satisfied that the experiment has only failed (if it can be said to have failed) from 
the non-application of proper means, whether of knowledge or of skill. That with 
such encouraging appearances nothing should have been done since 1820, up to 
the present time, to bring the resources of European art to bear on this interesting 
question, is only one of those circumstances so common in India as to excite little 
or no surprise. 
Recently, however, as is well known to your readers, a gentleman has brought 
the subject to the notice of the Asiatic Society, and has persuaded them to resume 
once more the search after deep-seated springs of fresh water. Government has 
consented to place at their disposal the necessary means, such as boring irons, 
purchases, &c. The Officer commanding in Fort William has, with the permission 
of the authorities, permitted the attendance of some men of the 13th, whose em- 
ployment in England as miners fitted them for sriving useful assistance. Several 
gentlemen of the Society have come forward on this occasion to give their co-ope- 
ration, and a certain sum has been placed at their disposal by tlie Society, appa- 
rently sufficient at least to establish satisfactory grounds on which a further advance 
may he made. I think, therefore, there islitde doubt of the experiment now suc- 
ceeding, provided those who have undertaken the management will but persevere. 
They must have an opinion, however, of their own, and not allow themselves to be 
frightened by unfounded objections, or their ardour damped by irrational and 
timid comments. Little of the preceding details is generally known, and still less is 
the general subject of overflowing or deep-seated springs 'understood the conse- 
quence is, that already much has been said in the way of opposition that will not 
bear examination. Some objectors (for objectors will never be wauting even to 
the best planned and wisest scheme) say, that as there are no hills near Calcutta 
the idea of deep-seated springs is a chimaira. But I would ask such objectors’ 
where were the hills in Alsace, which is a plain tract of considerable extent’ 
Where, again, were they at Amsterdam ? And if high ground was to be found in 
the neighbourhood of Sheerness, still the sea was much nearer. But in truth the 
whole question is one of levels ; and here the difference, 140 feet say at most, is not 
so very great as to require a very lofty mountain for its supply. The truth is 
that a rise of 140 feet will t*? found in more directions than one at no great dis- 
tance from Calcutta. Even were it otherwise, there would still be no valid reason 
. . I.. .. - i / s for it no more folloivs that the 
spring should be superficial at the effective head, than that it should be so here. 
This is obvious. What, in fact, is to prevent a spring 140 feet deep, at any moderate 
distance round Calcutta, from finding its way here under the clay ? And if there 
be no difficulty, what becomes of the objection of there being no hilly around 
sufficiently near Calcutta to furnish an adequate supply ? It is indeed almost self- 
evident, that go but deep enough, and you must have springs, let the locality be 
what it may the only question is, to what depth it is worth while to sink in 
the search after good water. Now this is a question that must always he deter- 
mined by circumstances. Those under which the present experiment has been 
resumed are eminently sufficient to justify the promoters of it:— 1st, the cer- 
taint y» * ma y sa y, ot finding good water at the inconsiderable depth of 130 
or 140 feet; and 2nd, the acknowledged want of so important a necessary 
as good water. Let us hope then, that none will be so inconsiderate as 
to throw any obstacles in the way of a project so entirely calculated for 
tiie benefit of the public. Whether it succeed or fail, must be determined 
y the general feeling for or against the project. If supported by the good 
