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19
really good road, as, according to the peculiar circumstances,
many other important items occur of equal, if not more
consequence, than the question of durability.
The Parish of St. James's has now the opportunity
of profiting by the gradual experience of their own work;
how far they will be justified in continuing the use of
wood as a material, such as they have in Pall Mall and
Regent Street, which work having been honestly and well
done, cannot fail to be a useful guide for the future. All
details as to various methods being public property from
the crowds who from curiosity, or real interest, watch the
progress of such works, render description superfluous.
As Wood for these purposes has to be brought to
England from other countries, the effect of change of
climate is not the least important, and change of climate
is practically a serious view of the question as those who
have been compelled to investigate such questions well
know. Although there is a difficulty in giving the preference
to either Paving or Drainage, both are equally
important. There is not any great difficulty in either,
the judgment required cannot be proved theoretically;
experience is the teacher.
The general condition of the Sewers in St. James's
Parish are perhaps as perfect as can be expected, that is
to say, that constant supervision renders the conveyance
away of all that once gets into them a matter of detail;
but smells from those substances will arise, and the
problem of what, is called "ventilation" of sewers is
still unsolved,