80 NOTES ON TREE TRUNK WATERPIFES.
exact dates, but is sure that there were a few wooden pipes
existing, and in working order, "well into the Forties."
On 24th September, is a letter signed E. A. Armstrong,
who states that "some years ago," when watching the taking
up of wooden water-pipes in Fleet Street, in the company of
Mr. George Pollock, then King's Remembrancer, Mr. Pollock
remarked that he well remembered seeing wooden pipes "not
taken up, but laid down."
On 25th September, two letters on this subject appeared,
in the first, signed Grant Richards, the writer states that he
remembers seeing wooden pipes taken up in Great Marlborough
Street in 1899 or 1900. He evidently inclines to think that
they were then being replaced by iron pipes. But most persons
interested in these ancient wooden pipes have noted that they
are often to be seen in excavations for various purposes in streets
of a certain age, long after their disuse for water supply. For,
when found, they seem to have no value for any practical pur-
pose, being too thoroughly wet even for firewood. On the
other hand, their usually very slight antiquity is likely to prevent
them from being thought worthy of preservation in a museum.
Another letter in The Times of 25th September is signed
"Edward J. Renaud." The writer describes the construction
of the wooden pipes and mentions the three excellent examples
of them now to be seen in the Guildhall Museum. He adds
that, the New River being completed, "its water first flowed
into the Pentonville Reservoir on 29th September 1613."
Wooden pipes were, he states, then used, at first oak, then
sycamore, "by 1810 we find elm employed, but between that
year and 1820 iron pipes were slowly substituted." He also
mentions the rights which "the new River Company's charter
gave them to cut trenches across any estate to carry these pipes."
The latest letter on this subject appeared in The Times of
26th September, and is from Mr. G. F. Pollock, who is mentioned
in Mr. E. A. Armstrong's letter of the 24th. He says:—"I
certainly saw wooden pipes being laid down in the early thirties
of last century. Being in my 93rd year, I can easily remember
this." He adds that in the 27th Vol. of Rees' Encyclopaedia.
title 'Pipe," the prejudice against iron pipes, owing to the
belief that they would contaminate the water, is mentioned. Mr.
Pollock's statement that he certainly saw wooden pipes laid
down (for use) in the early thirties of last century is a very
interesting addition to our knowledge of them.