Nothing can exceed our respect for the Bishop of Manchester,
but his reply to the Spectator at the Manchester banquet last week, on the subject of the proposed transformation of Thirl- mere, is not good, simply because he certainly is not acquainted with the facts of the case. It is true that Glasgow is supplied from Loch Katrine, and that Loch Katrine is not the worse for the operation, but this is simply because the natural features of Loch Katrine were not interfered with to supply Glasgow, while the essence of the Manchester proposal is to turn the lovely natural lake into a big, artificial reservoir, of totally different character ; indeed, worse still, for the water drawn off in the summer months will leave a large acreage of mud to delight the eye. That is mistake number one. Next, the Bishop hardly knows where Thirlmere is, and what is more important, sup- poses that but few tourists visit it. Why, the most frequented road in the Lake District passes right through the Thirlmere valley. That is mistake number two. Lastly, of course, we entirely deny the most important point of all, that Manchester and its environs cannot be supplied with wholesome water, except by this desolating of Thirlmere. Mr. Bateman, the engineer, did not even suggest Thirlmere ; the suggestion was made by Alder- rean Grave ; and we venture to say that the notion that if Thin.. mere is not taken, South Lancashire must suffer for want of wholesome water, is one that no competent judge of the matter amongst engineers oither does entertain or ever has entertained. The truth is, that the complete vulgarisation of Thirlmere now threatened, is in no way essential to the proper water-supply of Manchester.
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