Sir Christopher Wren
The running heads on pp. 114 and 115 of the March 1753
GM read, respectively, "Wren on the New River Water" and
"Sir Chr. Wren on regulating the New River Pipes," while a headnote
reads, "Thoughts of Sir Christopher Wren concerning the Distribution of
the New River Water; not published in his Works or elsewhere." The piece
begins, "Being desired by some persons of honour concerned in the New
River water, to give them my thoughts about the most profitable distribution
of the water; and particularly how the high parts about Soho
Square might be supplied; I have, as well as my age and the
continual avocations of publick business would permit, applied myself to
make the best enquiries I could, about the present state of the water." After
confessing that he can offer no good advice because of fundamental errors
"in laying down the contrivances," he proceeds to explain how "an able
mathematician" would have gone about the project. He concludes by stating
that he had been
lately to Soho square to test his theories, which actual practice demonstrated
to be accurate. Thirteen years later it was reported in the GM
(1766, p. 101) that "A thirty-sixth share of the King's moiety of the
New-River, sold this day at the Senegal
coffee-house for 4400l." The project was obviously a
profitable
one, hence the call upon Sir Christopher.