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19
water, as T have already explained, is highly
charged with noxious matter. I have continued
the examination of this water for nearly two
years, and I submit the results to you in Table
XII. of the Appendix. Of the thirty-six pumps
in the City, there is hardly one which supplies
a drinkable water. When examined in large
volume, it presents a deep sea green tint from
the quantity of organic matter dissolved in it,
a quantity that in some cases reaches 10 grains
in the gallon; and the amount of saline matter
is frequently above one hundred grains in the
gallon. The nature of both the organic and
saline constituents indicates most unmistakably the
source of the supply. It has its origin in the porous
soil which is saturated with the soakage from
sewers, drains, and grave-yards. Almost every
well indeed has its speciality. Those in the
neighbourhood of the markets are known by
the soakage from the surface ground; the pump
in Leadenhall Market for example, is enormously
charged with common salt from the pickled hides,
which are exposed for sale upon the ground of the
market. It will be seen in fact, by the table that
there is hardly a pump in the City which furnishes
water as good as the average supply of the river at
high-tide at London Bridge; and yet, there are
persons who still advocate the use of such water
for domestic purposes, and who will not be