To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine,

SIR,

HE communication of Capt. Layman in page 122, although wellintentioned, and however correctly its facts may be stated, with respect to his having procured fresh water by shallow diggings on the sandy shores of the ocean, Capt. L. so essentially errs in stating the principles on which he attempts to account for the phenomenon, and as to the general applicability of his method for supplying shipping, that I am induced to request your permission to say a few words on the subject, which I hope may prove useful to mariners, and guard them against grievous and perhaps dangerous disappointments.

A very slight acquaintance with chemical facts will satisfy any one, that there is not the slightest analogy between the gazeous ascent of water to form clouds, or in the practice of evaporating or distilling, and the percolation of water through sand, or its filtration through any other substances. And it is not true, that beneath the line or level of high-water, fresh water can be obtained by digging on the sandy shore, excepting only in those cases or spots where large quantities of land water (derived in all instances from previous rains, snows, or dews,) are passing through such sand in its way to the ocean, as its lowest vent or place of discharge in all other cases, a hole sunk in the sea-sand, would be wholly or partially filled with salt water, left in such sand by the retiring tide.

The loose sand on the sea-shore is not often of any great thickness, and, in a large proportion of cases, it rests on some sub-stratum, less porous or less fitted for percolation than itself; and in very numerous instances this stiffer or less porous substratum, rises in a cliff or bank, above high-water level, so as to preclude the percolation of fresh water from the land, except at the mouths of valleys or ravines, which are furrowed into the surface of such impervious substratum. It should become the business, therefore, of the mariner, who would land on a sandy shore in search of fresh water, to examine the cliffs or banks rising above high-water level; and, if they prove clayey, or so compact as apparently to be water-tight, it will be almost hopeless for him to sink for fresh water opposite to any such impervious

shore; but in searching along the cliffs or banks, it will not often be far before such clayey bank will be found to decline in height and sink down, and disappear under the loose gravel or sand, at the mouth of a vale or ravine, which comes down out of the country. Such a mouth of a valley being found, having a course of some miles in land, and the centre or deepest place in the mouth of such vale being selected, by a comparison of the slopes of the sides of such valley near to its mouth, a sinking for water may with some confidence be there made, at or about the high-water line, however dry or unpromising the surface of the gravel or sand of the selected spot may appear. Provided the water, which springs up in the bottom of any hole which may be suuk, proves fresh and without any mineral taste, besides that of muddiness, the turbidness occasioned by the digging of the hole should not dishearten the operator; because, on finishing the hole, a moderate degree of baling and throwing away of the water, will wash in the mud or fine earthy particles which may have been loosened by the digging, and clear water will mostly follow. In order to allow time for these operations, uninterrupted by the tide, it is plainly desirable to have the hole sunk rather above than below high-water level.

There is another principle of search for fresh water on the sea-shore, which may often be had recourse to, when the method already pointed out may have failed, and that is, searching along the sands, as near as may be to low-water line, and noticing any places where the sand may appear wetter, and to be discharging more water than usual, at a spot from whence the ascent of the surface of the sand is regular towards the beach or cliffs, and where no pools of salt water could have been left behind a ridge, to soak away into the sand, and so occasion the local wetness observed.

The water oozing from the sand, in any such places as described, should be tasted, and if it proves fresh, or even in any material, degree less salt and bitter than the adjoining sea-water, a hole sunk in an eligible place between this spot and the beach or cliffs, (of whatever material such cliffs may be composed,) may with some confidence be expected to fill with, and afford a supply of fresh water: it being always to be borne in mind, that fresh water

out

out of the sea-sand can only be derived from the land, in the ordinary way in which springs percolate, and descend towards their lowest vent or outlet, which is the ocean, unless where they are sooner intercepted and thrown out on the surface, by watertight strata or masses of matter. I know several instances wherein powerful springs of fresh water break up about the low-water line, from open rocks, which extend inland, but are buried under clayey strata or alluvia on the beach.

Capt. L. seems to be aware that palm-trees, equally with others, require a supply of fresh water for their support; and such supply they undoubtedly must have from the land-springs, in the manner I have been pointing out, and not by any mysterious action which their roots can exercise on the seawater, as he assumes.

I beg to take the present opportunity of thanking the gentleman, an Oecasional Reader, of your August number, for his information, that one or more artificial fountains of water have been obtained at Whitstable, in Kent, by means of boring; and to avail myself of his hint, by thus respectfully requesting of the Rev. Mr. Platoff, or of any other ingenious person of that place or its neighbourhood, informa. tion on the following points, viz. 1st. The depth from the surface, or thickness of dry loam, sand, or gravel? 2d. The thickness (if any) of wet sand or gravel, or of heterogeneous stoney soil, charged with land springs? 3d. The thickness (if any) of laminated or undisturbed blue or brownish clay, and whether any layers of clay-balls or cement stones were found therein? 4th. Of sand or loam (if any), and if mixed with small black spheroidally flattened nodules or pebbles of chert, or dark-coloured imperfect flint? 5th. Of soft red, or red and white mottled clay? 6th. Of sand, &c.? And 7th. Of chalk, with layers of black fints!-in case the boring here should have proceeded so far into the stratification, as sometimes happens in the vale of the Thames.

Besides which, it would be very desirable to learn,-8th. At what depth from the surface the auger tapped the -pent or rising spring? 9th. Has it since overflowed at the surface, or how much above it, or to what height does the water stationary rise in the borg-hole? 10th. What was the dia

meter of the auger used? 11th. What was the total cost of the boring, including the use of tools; and the name and residence of the operator? 12th. What kind, length, diameter, and thickness of pipe has been inserted into the bore-hole, to preserve the water's passage; and its cost? 13th. Has any column or other erection been made over the bore-hole; its nature and cost?

In case of a well having been sunk part of the way down, (as has been usual in and near London), it will be desirable to learn,-14th. Its depth, with its sinking particulars, (as above, queries I to 7,) and those of the borehole below it? And further, or 15th. How many ale gallons overflow per minute or hour, or can be drawn or pumped from the well, without lowering its surface? And lastly, or 16th. Is the supply constant the year round, or in what proportion has it fallen off in the dryest season?

Respecting any modern wells or bore-holes, especially deep and successful ones, similarly full particulars should by all means be taken and preserved by the curious persons of the vicinity; and such being communicated and published in your pages, or, if more agreeable, sent to the writer to be preserved in his collection (not a small one) of similar documents, the useful art, whereby supplies of good water are artificially procurable, could not fail of being improved and advanced. JOHN FAREY, Mineral Surveyor.

Sept. 9, 1822,
Howland-street, Fitzroy-square.

For the Monthly Magazine. ANTIQUITIES and PRESENT STATE of LAMBETH, VAUXHALL, and KENNINGTON. Tis surprising that Mr. Washing

such ardor in exploring the scene of Falstaff's jollities at the Boar's head Tavern, Eastcheap, did not extend his researches to the parish of Lambeth. No part of the metropolis affords so many interesting recollections of royalty, aristocracy, and revelry; and these, adorned by the pen of the American Addison, might have made a valuable addition to the entertainment of the "Sketch Book." is here the enquirer after the "olden time" in Lambeth encounters many mortifying disappointments. Of several erections formerly dignified by the rank of the occupants, or 4

It

the

the uses to which they were appropriated, no trace whatever exists; and of others, the site is occupied by buildings contrasting strangely with their predecessors on the same spot. Hamlet showed logically enough to his friend Horatio the vile uses to which the dust of heroes might descend; and the fate of ancient buildings is frequently not less revolting. The ground on which stood the mansion of the Howards is now occupied by a sugarhouse; and if the site of the palace of the Plantagenets could be ascertained, it would probably be found buried under the degrading load of a distillery, a pot-house, or places still less creditable.

The etymology of Lambeth is uncertain; the earliest mention of it is in a charter of King Edward the Confessor, dated in 1080. In 1041 Osgod Classa, a Danish noble, lived here; for it was at the marriage of Getha, his daughter, with Tovy Prudarn, another Danish noble, that Hardiknute, the last king of that race, died suddenly, and not without suspicion of poison. Harold was crowned at Lambeth, probably at Kennington, where there was formerly a palace. Of the five manors into which the parish was once divided, that of Kennington, called in Domesday Chenintune, is the most remarkable for historical incidents. It was at Kennington, in 1231, that Henry III. held a solemn Christmas, under the superintendance and at the charge of Hubert de Burgh, his chief-justice; next year a parliament was held at the same place. Edward the Black Prince resided at Kennington; and Stow records a famous mummery, enacted at the palace in 1377, by 130 citizens, “disguised and well horsed," for the entertainment of his son Richard. Where the palace stood, or when it was destroyed, is uncertain; but Camden, who wrote in 1607, is incorrect when he says there was no vestige of it, and the very name of a palace unknown. Charles II. while Prince of Wales, occupied the site in 1615, and ten acres of ground, formerly the palace-garden. The last traces of the royal residence was a barn, which existed 'so late as 1786, and which in 1700 had formed a receptacle for distressed Protestants.

The church is a homely structure, supposed to have been built by Arch. bishop Chichely, about the year 1414. In the south-east window is a picture

of the famous pedlar, the great benefactor of the parish, with a staff in his hand, and a pack on his back. The tradition is, that the pedlar gave one acre of land, situate near the east end of the Surrey abutment of Westminster bridge, for leave to bury his dog in holy ground. The genuineness of this story may be doubted; and, on recently viewing the picture, it occurred to us, that it was either intended to represent St. Peter, or to exemplify the primitive humility of the first teachers of Christianity. However this may be, the Pedlar's Acre has turned out a valuable donation: in 1504 it was an osier-bed, and let at 2s. 6d. per annum ; in 1812 it was estimated by two surveyors, on behalf of the parish, to be worth a rent of 10501. per annum.

Near the church is Lambeth Palace, or, as it is called by the natives, the Bishop's House. The site of the palace, with gardens and enclosed ground, occupy thirteen acres. Some years ago the Archbishop had a lawsuit with the parishioners, on account of the poor assessment, which he refused to pay, on the ground that his domains were extra-parochial: this turned out to be the case, though many were surprised that his grace should demur to so trifling a claim, since, had deep search been made for precedents, it might have been discovered that, instead of a tenth, the poor had a claim to one-fourth of the archiepiscopal revenues. In the receiver's apartment is a representation of a dove and serpent, with the priestly motto ascribed to Cardinal Pole,-Estote prudentes sicut serpentes, el innocentes sicut columba. The library contains about 25,000 volumes, but relating chiefly to church history and school divinity; it is probably not so valuable as Dr. Franklin's little manual of "Poor Richard's Almanack."

Lambeth has been always celebrated for its amusements. At the beginning of the last century Cuper's Gardens were a noted place of public diversion, and much frequented by the nobility. They were under the management of Widow Evans, and it is curious to contrast the puffs and advertisements with which John Bull was then baited, with present allurements. The following is one from the Daily Advertiser, June 28, 1743:—

men, that this night will be burnt the Gorgon's head, or more properly the head of Medusa, in history said to have snakes on her hair, and to kill men by her looks; snch a thing as was never known to be done in England before.

-The site of Cuper's Gardens is now occupied by Beaufoy's vinegar works, in South Lambeth.

The notion that Fawkeshall or Vauxhall Gardens derive their name from Guy Vaux, of gunpowder-treason notoriety, appears to have no better foundation than a person named Vaux having formerly lived there. The gardens have been a place of great popular attraction for more than a century. On the 7th of June, 1743, Mr. Tyers, the proprietor, opened them with a splendid illumination, and au advertisement of a ridotto al fresco (a term then unknown to the people); about 400 persons were present, mostly in masks and dominos. Till the building of Westminster-bridge, the passage to the gardens was from the opposite shore by water, or over London-bridge, and through the Borough. By Mr. Addison's account in the Spectator, the gardens were opened so early as the month of May; that masks were worn by some of the company; that mead was a favourite liquor with those who wore them; and that Burton ale was in request with gentlemen. So great was the delight Mr. Tyers took in this place, that he caused himself to be carried into the garden a few hours before his death, to take a last look at them. The price of admission was one shilling till 1792, when additional amusements and decorations having been provided, it was raised to two shillings; which, in consequence of farther improvements, and the reduction of the number of nights of representation from six to three, was raised to 48. (now 3s. 6d.) The average number of company used to be about one thousand, but this number has been greatly exceeded; and, from the manner in which the gardens were conducted last season, it is probable they will again become a popular place of resort.

Lambeth is associated with recollections more valuable than scenes of gaiety, or even architectural remains; it has been the abode of learning, ingenuity, and virtue. The Tradescants bold a conspicuous place among the worthies of the parish; their virtues

Angels shall with their trumpets waken men, And fire shall purge the world, these three shall rise,

And change the garden for a paradise.

In the new ledger, placed by public subscription in 1773, the three last lines are omitted. Mr. Edward Moore, the author of "the Gamester," and the periodical paper called "the World," resided in Lambeth; and Mr. Francis Moore, of “Loyal Almanack" memory, lived many years at the north corner of Calcot's-alley, in the Back-lane, now called High-street, where he followed the joint occupation of astrologer, schoolmaster, and physician. The house in which Mr. Bushell lived might be seen till lately, at the corner of Oakley-street, opposite the Asylum; its singular occupant is thus described in Aubrey's Survey:

“Mr. Bushell, (says be,) a man well known to Chancellor Bacon, being in fear of Oliver Cromwell, absconded to a fair house bere, where the piqued turret is. He was obnoxious, and in danger of his life; and his old faithful servant, John Sydenham, and an old woman, were alone privy to his concealment. This private life in the day, with his nightly diversion in his orchard, lasted a whole year, until his peace was made. He lay in a garret, which was the length of the wholo house, hung with black baize; at one end was a skeleton, extended on a mattress, which was rolled up under its head; at the other end a low pallet bed, on which the said Bushell lay; and on the wall was depicted various emblems of mortality. He was an ingenious and contemplative man, and a vast admirer of his great master, Bacon."

Considering the many celebrated places in Lambeth, it is singular some

of