"The pumps are placed horizontally, and are worked by a crank on the water-wheel, attached to a pitman con nected with a piston at the end of the slides. They are fed under a natural head of water, from the forebays of the water-wheel, and are calculated for feet stroke ; but hitherto it has been found more profitable to work with not more than five feet. They are double forcing pumps, and are connected each of them to an iron main of six teen inches diameter, which is carried along the bottom of the race to the rock at the foot of Fair Mount, and thence up the bank into the new reservoir. At the end of the pipe there is a stop-cock, which is closed when needful for any purpose. The shortest of these mains is two hun dred and eighty-four feet long : the other two are some what longer. The reservoir next the bank is one hun dred and thirty-nine feet by three hundred and sixteen feet, is twelve feet deep, and contains three millions of gallons. It is connected at the bottom with the old re servoir, by two pipes of two inches diameter, with stop cocks. This reservoir contains four millions of gallons. All the water being raised into the reservoirs, one hun dred and two feet above low tide, and fifty-six feet above the highest ground in the city, is thence conveyed to the city.
" On the 24th of October last, the steam-engines were stopped, and it is believed will never again be wanted. The satisfactory test to which the dam was exposed, on the 21st of February last, by an ice freshet, which rose eight feet above the over fall of the dam, and which is sup posed to be the greatest that has been ever known in the Schuylkill, has quieted all fears as to its safety, and done away all the objections that ever could be raised to a re sort to Water Power, where nature had kindly done so much." In this place, the committee deem it proper to state the cost of the whole work done since the ordinance passed, April 18th, 1819, which amounts to 5426,330, including S150,000 for the purchase of the water-right.
"The cost of working one steam-engine and pump for one year was 30,858 dollars ; and it has been found, that, with this expenditure, not more than 1,600,000 gallons could be raised in twenty-four hours ; a very inadequate supply for the population of the city, consisting of above sixty thousand souls; without a gallon being afforded to the adjoining districts, containing an equal number, and for whom, until the present period, there was no provision except by means of wells. To raise an equal quantity with that at present afforded by three wheels, the cost would be upwards of 70,000 dollars ; but, estimating the cost at only double that of one engine, it will amount to 61,716 dollars. From this is to be deducted the interest on the capital expended in erecting the Water Power and Works, which was 426,330 dollars, and was principally borrowed at an interest of five per cent., and amounts to 21,316 dollars annually, and also the expences for wages, fuel, oil, &c. estimated at 1,500 dollars annually, amount ing together to 22,816 dollars, which being deducted from the sum of 61,716 dollars, leaves a clear annual saving of 38,900 dollars, equal at an interest of five per cent. to a ca pital of 778,000 dollars.
"The water power is sufficient to work five wheels and pumps, in addition to the three in operation, which would raise an additional quantity of more than six millions of gallons." The former inadequate supply of water, derived through the wooden pipes or conduit from Fair Mount, and the constant vexation and expense, occasioned by the bursting of those in the streets, had long turned the attention of councils to the substitution of iron pipes. This work was
commenced at the old reservoir at Fair Mount, and con tinued through several streets of the city, and will gradu ally progress until the whole of the wooden pipes, thirty two miles in extent, are removed.
The scenery in the vicinity of Fair Mount is very fine and picturesque. From the reservoir, at the top of the hill, you command an extended view, embracing the city, with its steeples and cupolas ; the western shot tower ; the two fine bridges over the Schuylkill ; the dam, locks, and water houses ; the beautiful gardens of Henry Pratt, Esq.; and the villas and rising ground on the west side of the river. Indeed, the beauty of the scenery, the extent, ele gance, and permanent utility of the works, render Fair Mount the most interesting spot in the vicinity of the city, and the resort of strangers, and of citizens of all ranks. The view in the end of the present number is taken from the western window of the Upper Bridge.
Commerce.—For a long period of years Philadelphia was the first commercial city in the United States, and during the time when the European wars made Ameri can citizens the carriers of the world, an enormous amount of solid capital and wealth, was accumulated by her skilful and enterprising merchants; and at the present time, there is more real capital in Philadelphia, than in any other city in the United States ; but owing to the ge neral depression of commerce, and the peculiar local situa tion of Philadelphia, removed from the sea board, her foreign trade has decreased, and a considerable portion of her capital has been diverted to manufactures. Within a year past, however, the commerce of Philadelphia has re vived, and must continue to increase, as her situation with respect to the countries to the south and west renders her the depot of immense quantities of domestic produce. The canal and lock navigation of the river Schuylkill which will be opened in the present year, in addition to that of the Lehigh, which is at present in partial use, will give to Philadelphia a very extensive trade in the excel lent stone coal, of which inexhaustible quantities are found on the banks of these rivers. The Union canal, which is in a state of forwardness, and probably will be completed in the course of two years, will, by connecting the Schuyl kill and Susquehannah, ensure to Philadelphia the great trade of the country adjacent to the latter river, and its numerous tributary streams. A canal is likewise in con templation from the Susquehanna to the Allegheny, which would connect Philadelphia with the Ohio, and the great western states, through which it flows; in short, there is no city in the eastern part of the United Stares, which possesses greater local superiority, as the focus of the great western trade. The canal to unite the waters of the Delaware and Chesapeak bays, by a sloop navigation, which is now digging, will bring to Philadelphia the rich pro ducts of Maryland and Virginia, and of the country further south, such as flour, lumber, tobacco, and cotton, which have hitherto been carried by sea, not only to her ma •ket, but likewise to New York, and other ports father east ward, and from thence shipped to foreign countries.