er owner, and father of
the present proprietors, retubed the spring at a considerable expense,
having excavated it to a depth of fifty-six feet, eleven of which are
in the solid rock. By this improvement the water flows with all its
properties undeteriorated, retaining from source to outlet its
original purity and strength. Since then, the present proprietors,
under the firm of A.R. Lawrence & Co., by a new and improved method of
bottling and barreling the Excelsior water under its own hydrostatic
pressure, have given it an increased reputation and it is rapidly
attaining a wide-spread popularity.

Properties.

The water of this spring is a pleasant _cathartic_, and has also
alterative and tonic properties, and is moreover a very delightful
beverage. Two or three glasses in the morning is the dose as a
cathartic. As an alterative and diuretic, it should be taken in small
quantities during the day. We have seen stronger commendations of this
water from the highest medical authority than of any other.

Exportation of the Water.

After a refreshing draught from this sparkling and delicious fountain,
let us not fail to examine the proprietors' peculiar and very perfect
method of bottling and barreling the Excelsior water by its own
hydrostatic pressure. Since last season a handsome brick
bottling-house has replaced the ancient wooden structure. Entering
this bottling-house we find our way to a capacious and well-lighted
cellar, in which we discover a perpendicular opening some ten feet in
diameter; this proves to be a circular brick vault, in whose depths
the process of filling is performed. Twelve feet below the surface of
the spring a block tin tube conveys the water into reservoirs placed
at the bottom of this vault. These reservoirs are strong oak barrels,
lined with pure block tin in such a manner as to be perfectly
gas-tight, and furnished with two tubes, one quite short and the other
extending from the top to the bottom of the reservoir. Then, by
filling the reservoirs through the long tube by hydrostatic pressure,
the air is excluded, while the gas is not allowed to escape. When sold
on draught, it is necessary simply to connect the long tube with the
draught tube, and the short tube with an air pump, when the water can
be forced out by the pressure of the air, and will flow forth
sparkling and delicious as at the spring, without being re-charged
with gas.

[Illustration: GEYSER SPRING THE SPOUTING SPRING