Middlesex Prints

36x19 cm

View of the New River, as conveyed through the Frame at Bush Hill.

Copper engraving published in The Gentleman's Magazine for September 1784.

The description read; 'The annexed plate exhibits a view of the wooden aqueduct near Bush Hill, in the parish of Edmonton, made in 1608 for the conveyance of the New River, where the natural level of the ground was unfavourable. This being the only one now remaining (for a similar aqueduct at Highbury, near Islington, was taken away and replaced by a bed of clay, about six years ago); I thought a representation of it would not be disagreeable to your readers, especially as preparations for removing this also are now actually going forward under the direction of Mr. Mylne, surveyor of the New River Company. The length of this wooden trough is 660 feet; its height and depth five…the house seen at the right hand corner is the Green Dragon public House, where the penny-post letters are received'.  In May 1788 the same magazine reported that the frame was 'completely removed, the water having continued near twelve months in its new bed of earth and clay. The old lead, amounting to near 50 tons, was sold at 18 shillings per ton to five plumbers.' 

Completed in 1613, the New River was constructed to supply London with drinking water from Chadwell Springs in Amwell. Edmund Colthurst proposed the scheme in 1600 and began work in 1604 at his own expense but lack of funds put an early end to construction. In 1609 Sir Hugh Middleton was given authority to carry out the works and he appointed Colthurst as overseer and Edward Wright as surveyor, with the aid of King James I, the work was completed and, with a number of changes and additions over the years, remains in use today, supplying about 8% of London's water consumption.

Folds as issued, good condition. 

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