and two pilasters. The spaces between the portico and the two wings are decorated with panels, bearing carved emblematic figures. The portico communicates with an entrance of an octangular form, which leads to the ante-room, 21 feet square, and this apartment has a communication with the ball room, card room, and supper room. The ball room is 80 feet long and 37 feet wide, and the walls are decorated with beautiful panels. At the farther end is a recess, ornamented with two columns and two pilasters of artificial marble, and over the entrance is placed the orchestra. The supper room is 55 feet long and 25 feet broad, and has a small orchestra. The card room is 44 feet long and 25 feet wide. Subscription balls and concerts are held in these rooms.

THE ROTUNDA.

This structure is situate at the lower end of Bold-street, and was originally erected for the exhibition of panoramic paintings, but is now used as a billiard room.

CHAPTER IV.

PUBLIC WORKS, &c.

WATER WORKS.

In the year 1799 a company was formed under the denomination of the Proprietors of the Liverpool Corporation Water Works, sanctioned by a statute of the 26th of George III., and was subsequently incorporated in the year 1822 by an act of parliament. There were 400 shares of £100 each, and before the books had been opened five hours the whole subscription was filled up. This company and another, called the Bootle Water Works Company, supply the inhabitants of the town with this indispensable requisite of life, and they are empowered to charge those persons who take it a certain sum, according to the rent or value of the premises.

In order that the water may attain any required level, it is first raised from the spring to a proper elevation by steam engines, situate in Bevington

hill, Copperas-hill, Soho-street, and Harrington, and afterwards conveyed through the main pipes, which are of cast iron, and placed beneath the pavement of the streets; small lead pipes are connected with these, and conduct the water to the several houses. By a recent act passed in 1826, the title of this company was changed to that of the Company of Proprietors of the Liverpool and Harrington Water Works.

Another company, entitled the Company of Proprietors of the Liverpool Bootle Water Works, was incorporated agreeably to an act of the 39th of George III. The water is conveyed from Bootle, a distance of about three miles, being in the first instance raised to the requisite height by a steam engine, and afterwards received into reservoirs, situate in Vauxhall Road, Crosbie-street, Everton, and Kirkdale, which are said to be capable of holding 5000 tuns of water. This company obtained an act of parliament in the year 1813, by which they were empowered to form a new line through the townships of Kirkdale, Everton, and West Derby.

For the more facile and expeditious extinguishment of fires, there are reservoirs in New-hallstreet and Prussia-street, which supply tanks placed in several parts of the town.

Great advantage and convenience are conferred on the town by these two companies, who at a very moderate charge afford to the inhabitants a

constant and plentiful supply of excellent pure spring water, a most invaluable necessary of life.

GAS WORKS.

The discovery and use of gas have produced one of the most remarkable improvements of the present age. Could the ancients re-visit this busy world, with what astonishment would they behold the myriads of brilliant flames that afford so splendid and varied an illumination, by means of which the disagreeableness and inconvenience of darkness are almost obviated.

The Liverpool Gas Light Company was established on the 23d of May, 1818, and the shares have frequently attained a price quadruple their original value. The premises where the gas is made are situate in Hatton-garden and Vauxhall Road. The office is in Dale-street, the front of which is decorated with a stone figure of the liver, and beneath is inscribed the appropriate phrase-EX FUMO DARE LUCEM. This company light nearly all the streets, and the greatest part of the shops and offices.

THE LIVERPOOL OIL GAS COMPANY.

This company was incorporated on the 23d of May, 1823. The premises and offices are situate in Rose-hill.

THE BOTANIC GARDEN.

The Botanic Garden is situate a little to the

east of Abercromby-square, and was opened in the year 1803. It is enclosed by a substantial stone wall, and occupies about ten acres of land. An extensive conservatory, 240 feet in length, stands near the middle of the garden, and is stocked with a rare and choice variety of plants, and the grounds are tastefully laid out, and supplied with a great variety of plants. Two neat lodges adorn the entrance. Prior to the establishment of this institution the founders published an address, in which they state,—

"That the prevailing taste for botanical studies, and the liberality displayed by the inhabitants of Liverpool in the encouragement of scientific pursuits, afford sufficient reason to conclude, that the establishment of a botanical garden in the neighbourhood of the town is at present a desirable and attainable object. To enlarge upon the advantages to be derived from botanical knowledge is not the object of this address. It is presumed that its application to agriculture, gardening, medicine, and other arts essential to the comfort and even support of life is generally acknowledged. The claims which it has to our attention, when considered merely as an elegant amusement, ought not to be neglected; an amusement calculated to interest the understanding, whilst it promotes the health and vigour of the bodily frame.

"It is, however, necessary to the progress of

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