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16
of gravitation might direct the escaped fluid with rapid
descent to a well most prized generally for the sparkling
brilliancy of its water. So subtly have wells been so poisoned,
that disease has, in several instances, been established,
has become unusually mortal, and that mortality alarmingly
aggravated, before it has occurred to any one to look to the
pollution of the favorite well as the cause. In truth, in a
populous neighbourhood, where, if well drained, the subsoil
is fully charged with destroyed cesspools, existing cesspools
with porous sides, and other sources of pollution, it is highly
injudicious at any time, but more especially in summer, to
drink water from wells which are filled with water filtered
through all the filth which must collect on the surface of
the earth, where, even if the people who occupy the houses
are cleanly, it is impossible but that the ground must contain,
on its surface and at some depth from it, the debris of
organic substances in a state of putrefactive change. The
products of the changes which take place from such a process
are all, I believe, soluble, and are carried, in varying
proportions, to the lowest level, which is probably the
hollow into which the well has been sunk. I have been
principally induced to place the Table of the Water Analysis
in the Report, that the great amount of impurity of well
water might be understood thoroughly, and that the evils
which at any time, and without intimation, might attend its
use for beverage, may be evaded by using for the purpose
other water.
In concluding my Annual Statement to the Vestry, I
cannot but express a hope that in each succeeding year I
may be warranted in laying before its members a statement
equally favorable to the present. It certainly will not be
in my power to do so if we remain satisfied with the