Page:The Manchester and Thirlmere Scheme - Somervell (1878).djvu/5



[The following is the substance, slightly modified for the present publication, of a letter which appeared some weeks ago in the local papers. For suggestions as to practical steps which may now, or shortly, be taken, see page 16. ]

It is now very generally known that the Corporation of Manchester have determined to apply for an Act, during the session of 1878, by which they will be enabled to convert Thirlmere Lake into a reservoir; and, by means of a tunnel through Dunmail Raise, and a covered aqueduct thence to Manchester, to obtain an increased supply of water for the use of that town and its neighbourhood.

In many cases, landowners whose property, and other persons whose business, will be injuriously affected by undertakings such as this, are the only parties whose interests require much attention; but, in this respect, the scheme now under consideration seems to be entirely exceptional.

Englishmen generally have a direct interest in the preservation of the natural beauties of our mountain districts, the value of which increases year by year with our increasing population, and the consequent rapid appropriation of the general surface of the land to purely utilitarian purposes. On this ground, it has been thought desirable to call the attention of the public generally, and especially that part of