1883 .] Correspondence . 563 
Drummond has, notwithstanding his being F.G.S. in scientific 
matters. 
OFFICIAL AND NON-OFFICIAL WATER 
EXAMINATIONS. 
To the Editor of the journal of Science . 
Sir, —Premising that I have not the slightest respedt for Water 
Companies, either in London or elsewhere, but look upon their 
establishment as one of the most serious errors of modern times, 
I must yet protest against the outcry raised in certain quarters 
concerning the analytical reports published on their behalf. It 
is, indeed, not easy to see who is the party really aggrieved, or 
what there is to complain of. Nobody, I presume, will doubt 
the competence of Mr. Crookes, and of Drs. Odling and Tidy, 
even if their results do not coincide with those of the official 
examiner. Nobody can deny that the Water Companies, if so 
disposed, have the right, like any private individual, to have their 
wares analysed, and to publish the results. Nobody, surely, ex- 
cept amiable enough to believe in the infallibility of the official 
examiner and the all-sufficiency of his very questionable process, 
can regret that the public should have the opportunity of hearing 
both sides of the matter. If the malcontent journals and indi- 
viduals will have the kindness to point out where the analyses of 
Mr. Crookes, and Drs. Odling and Tidy are at fault, it will be 
quite time enough to demand that these reports should cease to 
appear, or that they should assume an aspedt of “ submissive- 
ness.” — I am, &c., 
W. 
