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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.
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