USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1868-1871 > Part 33
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1
DEDICATORY ODE,
COMPOSED FOR THE OCCASION, BY MRS. M. P. LOWE, AND SUNG BY THE SOMERVILLE MUSICAL ASSOCIATION.
Hail to the Sun that is dawning on earth, Knowledge, directing and cheering our feet ! Hail to the beautiful land of our birth,
Land where the church and the school-house shall meet,
71
Linked in a friendship unchanging and sweet Naught can molest them nor make them afraid ; So shall we grow up a nation complete, Love and the Light for our corner-stone laid.
Here shall the rich and the poor be alike,
Here at the gates they together will throng, Here shall young manhood be ready to strike, Strike at the cause of oppression and wrong ; Here shall fair womanhood learn to be strong, Growing in knowledge and wisdom and grace,
Till all her being shall blossom in song,
Cheering the waste and the desolate place.
Let us surrender these walls to the truth, Not to the terrors of law and the rod, Showing the turbulent spirit of youth,
Liberty, won by the children of God : When we are laying down under the sod, They shall arise in our places and say,
"Good is the road which our fathers have trod,
Priceless the gift we inherit to-day."
ADDRESS BY PROF. JOHN P. MARSHALL.
Upon an occasion like this you will expect me to speak upon some subject that has a bearing upon education. The time, however, that properly falls to my share in the exercises of the evening is too brief to allow of the thorough discussion of any one of the numerous topics that are full of interest to the friends of our common schools. I shall attempt to do nothing more than to offer a few suggestions upon the proper use of methods in teaching.
The importance of conducting the education of the young by cor- rect methods is self-evident. Without systematic effort, the pupil wastes time and energy. Hence our legislators enact School Laws. School Committees frame School Regulations, and teachers devise methods of imparting instruction, and of maintaining order, all of which are intended to give greater efficiency to the means provided by the people for the promotion of general intelligence and virtue.
Since the very existence of our republican institutions depend upon the education of the people, every ignorant person is to a certain ex- tent a dangerous element in the community of which he is a member. It is then of the highest importance that every child should have
74
According to old and long tried methods his course was plain. He had only to watch for the first signs of an outbreak, and then show himself master by a grand exhibition of physical force, even though it might result in serious personal injuries to his pupils. But who does not know that, under all the outward respect for authority exhibited by scholars, when thus subdued, the elements of insubordination are still seething, and an eruption is likely to occur at any favorable op- portunity? The first day came to a close without any unusual viola- tion of good order. At the opening of the school session on the second day, there were unmistakable signs of a disturbance. After the reading of the Scriptures, the teacher called the reputed leader to his desk. He left his seat with a swaggering air, and a gleam of defi- ance in his eye, which plainly indicated that he was ready and anxious that the storm might burst at once.
"William," said the teacher in a quiet, confidential undertone, "Here is a check on the Boylston Bank. I need the money, but can- not get into the city during bank hours ; are you willing to go and draw the money for me?" The boy's eye brightened with pleasant surprise as he eagerly took the check and prepared to do the errand. He forgot his purpose of revenging himself upon this teacher for the numberless floggings that he had received in past years, and with a new-born impulse, hastened to the city, transacted the business, and returned promptly with the money. He never after this gave his teacher a moment of anxiety. His example was contagious, and so great was the respect of the pupils for the teacher, that corporal pun- ishment became obsolete in the school.
What caused this sudden change in the boy's behavior? His self- respect had been almost instantly restored by this simple act of confi- dence, and with that came love and respect for his teacher. Then good resolutions were formed, and his deliverance was complete. Severe punishment might have created in him respect for the teacher's animal courage and strength, but could never have restored respect for himself.
The attempt to govern children by set rules is always a failure. They must be allowed a certain freedom of action, or they can never acquire self-control. When there is no higher motive than escape from the penalty of violated rules, we shall, in vain, expect any high type of moral excellence. If you would exalt youthful minds, set before them all that is noble in character, - truth, patience, forgive- ness, gentleness, firmness, and enthusiasm.
The path of education is strewn with rejected theories and methods of teaching. It is not, perhaps, too much to say that the greater part
75
of them had their origin in the almost insane desire of book-makers to crowd our schools with worthless text-books, and gratify their own love of gain.
One author informs us that children must learn to read by first acquiring the sounds of the letters before learning their names, and then be taught to combine them into words. Another, that they must learn to spell before learning to read ; and still another, that the words must be learned as pictures before the power of the letters is taught. In spite of these different methods, children learn to read, but exactly how, must always be a puzzle to the mental philosopher. The living teacher is, however, indispensable, and the progress of the pupil is in direct ratio to her gentleness, and patience, and love.
As an illustration of what these can accomplish with older pupils, I will cite the case of a boy of twelve years of age, who was expelled from a public school in the city for idleness and truancy. He had grown rapidly, was large and finely formed, but being slow of compre- hension, had dragged along with his class without understanding his lessons. After a time he was degraded to a lower class, but this did not remedy the matter. It only served to discourage him, and, ashamed to recite with children much younger and smaller than himself, he absented himself from school and spent his time about the streets and wharves.
After his expulsion from school, he was sent to an academy in the country. The teacher understanding his case, allowed him to join a class of boys of his own age, in Natural Philosophy. His schoolmates, with that quickness of perception that characterizes the young, under- stood the motives of the teacher, and lent their assistance. Cheered on all sides, this boy worked faithfully, improved rapidly, and, after graduating at a New England college, became a successful lawyer.
To pursue, in our public schools, precisely the course adopted by the teacher in the case alluded to, would be impracticable. It was not the method of teaching which saved the boy. It was the sympathy and encouragement of his teacher and fellow pupils.
1. I believe the time is coming when every child, capable of instruc- laon, will receive in the public schools such education as will fit him so become an intelligent and respectable citizen. Our schools are thaking progress in that direction. The fountain from which the ation draws its life is every year sending forth more healthful waters. feehave no sympathy with those who decry popular education. Our
Ublic School system is not chargeable with any of the evils that grow enti in the management of individual schools, through the ambition or Wapacity of the teachers.
wate
the to
76
We are assembled in another of the beautiful temples of learning, of which Somerville may justly be proud. The rooms are pleasant, commodious, well ventilated, well lighted, and well warmed. When we consider that nearly a fourth part of the lives of our children are spent in the school-room, every question relating to their welfare here becomes of vital interest. The material influences that surround them here determine largely their future well being. But, above all, we should be careful to select for them teachers distinguished for their broad views of education, their skill in imparting instruction, their wisdom in discerning character and motives, their love of the youth intrusted to their charge, their earnest devotion to duty, and their respect for truth and religion.
EXTRACTS FROM POEM, BY ENOCH R. MORSE, EsQ.
The bright sun had given his farewell to-day, And slowly his beams from the clouds passed away ; When Night, drew the shadows of evening, and spread Their folds where the Day-God had pillowed his head. Then the stars, one by one, all silently came, And lit their pale fires with a silvery flame ; And all the sweet voices of Nature were still, Save the whispering breeze, or the light laughing rill, Whose waters were dancing, as onward they sped To the welcoming sea from their rough rocky bed. And I mused on the task you had set me, to write The rhymes to be read on this festival night, When I fell into slumber, still seeking a theme, And lo ! this fair temple arose in my dream ; And sweet voices, angel-tongued, floated along, Its every arch filling with music and song. Yet louder and higher the joyous notes rang. And one burden ever the songs that they sang ; 'Twas Beauty, the gem of creation's great plan ; 'Twas Beauty, the first gift of Heaven to man ; And I thought as the seraph-strains still floated o'er, "The things that are beautiful live evermore."
And Beauty, bright Beauty, shall be my glad theme ; And lo ! at the thought I awoke from my dream. But dreams leave their impress, as ocean's wild wave Writes its name on the sand ere it sinks in its grave.
77
And true to the mandate, I heard in my dream, Let Beauty, bright Beauty, still be the glad Theme. How oft we've seen in silent night's blest shade, When "nature's sweet restorer " lends its aid, Some blissful vision, some unclouded joy, And seen the morning all our hopes destroy ; And waking fondly wished once more to dwell 'Mid those bright scenes that held their mystic spell ; Then come, O goddess of my dreaming hour, And guide my song where Beauty holds her power. This matchless charmer of our mortal years, Whose smile lights up the vale of human tears, Can make our lives, too often robed in gloom, Appear in all the glow of Eden's bloom. Then Beauty, sing through all her wide domain, O'er sunny fields, or seas, or starry plain, On Westland clouds, or 'neath the Orient skies, Where tropic whirlwind sweeps, or zephyr dies ; Through time and space, wherever man hath trod, Or where we see the footsteps of our God.
Creation broke, and Beauty woke To hail its early dawning ; The sleeping day to light gave way When sang the stars of morning. Like sparkling gems, the diadems Of night, all brightly shining, Come breaking through the ether blue, On silver clouds reclining.
And then their race, through trackless space, Moved on its course supernal, And this the song through all their throng, "Our march shall be eternal. The hand divine, that made us shine, Will keep our light from fading ; On worlds below our beams will glow, To chase away the shading." Thus from afar, each glim'ring star, A hymn to Beauty lending, Sings through the skies, the echo flies, Its way to earth descending.
78
And now to Eden's fertile fields we turn ; Its flames that rolled and surged have ceased to burn. Its waters find once more their native seas, And new-grown verdure trembles on the breeze, A thousand sweets from Earth's unnumbered flowers On unseen wings are wafted thro' its bowers. Here winding rivers on to ocean run, And as they flow they sparkle like a sun. To walk these shades, unseen to mortal eye, Cherubic convoys leave their native sky. And here the Queen of Beauty builds her throne, And 'mid its matchless splendor reigns alone. And thus in solitude, the new made Earth Moved on its way, thro' all the years of God ; Till Life, in myriad numbers came to birth, And man, the blooming fields of Eden trod. His voice, who speaks, and systems gem the skies, Called Adams' dust to leave the slumbering clay : And lo ! we see a human form arise To live, and all the works of God survey.
*
*
Again, to change the scene our wandering theme Now leads us back to childhood's happy day, When Life to us was one long summer-dream Nor shadow fell across our sunny way. Our stock in trade, made up of tops and strings, Possessed a wealth to money-kings unknown ; Not e'en the honor that this office brings Can give the joy those early days have shown. Among the pleasant things of bye-gone years, The dear old school-house, last but not the least, In all its former glory yet appears To be the master-piece in memory's feast. Unlike to this, it paint nor putty knew ; Its frame-work rocked with every wind that blew ; Leaves from its." trees of knowledge " were, tho' green, Like angel's visits, few and far between.
If " as the twig is bent the tree 's inclined," Then shape it well while in its tender years ; Each lifeless limb, lop of, and we shall find The comely branch on which the fruit appears.
79
Amid the far-off hills a little brook
Came tripping down o'er rock and shining sand, Its waters flowed through dell and shady nook, And made its way to cheer some thirsty land. Through summer's heat, and winter's icy reign So swift it moved, it seemed its waters flew ; Its music echoed o'er the distant plain,
Or mingled with the fragrant winds that blew. On, on, it sped through growing channels deep, Or winding where the waving meadows lay, Now dashing down the mountain's craggy steep ; - And through long ages kept the same wild way. But hark ! the thunder speaks, the lightning's play, The gathering clouds, like chariots, seem to fly, And hastening darkness shrouds the lingering day, And spreads its terrors o'er the azure sky. And fast-descending rain now sweeps along, And angry winds wail down the mountain-side, And towering oaks, - those forest giant's strong - Fall like the chaff, to float adown the tide ; And down they drift until the current stays ; - Checked on its course the rising river swells, And o'er the moss-grown bank the water strays, To wander far through other shades and dells. And now 'mid deserts wild the little stream Bears on to solitude unknown before,
Whose barren wastes begin with flowers to teem, And thirsty cattle graze along its shore.
The lofty pines, whose trembling branches wave To beat the measures in old Nature's song, May plant their foot-steps where its waters lave, As fast to far off seas it glides along.
Thus moved the brook, through storms and cloudless days, And new creations woke, then passed away. So let the path of Childhood, like the stream, Lead on to bless the world, and light will gleam Through all the night of Life's uneven road, To guide the soul to Paradise and God. In that fair realm unfading beauty dwells, And song seraphic every harp-string swells ; In dress immortal may our spirits rise,
To walk those fields beneath celestial skies.
tal
om
80
Remarks by Messrs. Columbus Tyler, Benj. Woodward, Charles S. Lincoln, Thos. Cunningham, Lebbeus Stetson, Geo. T. Littlefield, and Rev. J. M. Smith.
POEM, COMPOSED FOR THE OCCASION, BY MRS. S. KNAPP.
When Science shall within these walls Her golden gates unfold - And Learning's banner, grand and high, Be proudly here unrolled : Then here an intellectual light, Will cast its gleams afar, Chasing the clouds of mental night, Without one waning star.
May youth, who hither come to taste The sweets of mystic lore. And garner treasures richer far Than gold or silver ore - Forget not, while they gather gems To deck the mental part, To seek that wealth which will adorn And beautify the heart.
To weave a garland, fair and bright, Of never fading flowers, Which ne'er will droop, but sweetly bloom In the immortal bowers. Let Wisdom's lilies there appear, With Truth's blest rose enshrined, And blossoms, too, of Peace and Love, With thornless ivy twined.
Then gather priceless riches here, Treasures which never die, And oft you 'll bless this hallowed spot, As future years roll by ; And when the frosts of wintry age, Youth's aspirations chill, Even then, will memory's pencil paint, The school on fair Spring Hill.
AmTer from LI-
REPORT
OF THE
SOMERVILLE MYSTIC WATER COMMITTEE.
The Committee respectfully submit their third Annual Report.
The transactions of the past year, authorized by votes of the town, embrace the laying of 58,932.3 feet of dis- tribution pipes, with the requisite gates, and the setting of 36 hydrants.
Conformably to a vote of the town, the Committee ap- plied to, and obtained from the Legislature
AN ACT IN ADDITION TO AN ACT FOR SUPPLYING THE TOWN OF SOMERVILLE WITH WATER.
[Chapter 72, Statutes of 1870.]
Be it Enacted, &c., as follows :
The town of Somerville is hereby authorized to raise by taxation, or by borrowing from time to time, an amount not exceeding in the aggregate the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, in addition to the amount au- thorized to be raised by Chapter two hundred and two, of the acts of the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, to be used for the purposes therein specified.
Approved, March 11, 1870.
6
STATEMENT OF DISTRIBUTION PIPES LAID IN 1870.
Street.
From
To
Ft. 12-in.
Ft. 8-inch.
Ft. 6-inch.
Ft. 4-inch.
Ft. 3-inch. Ft. 2-inch.
Аввот.
Elm.
a "dead end." .
424.
ADAMS.
a 4-inch pipe. Milk.
a " dead end .. '
668.4
ARLINGTON.
Franklin.
Lincoln.
489.4
AUBURN (AVE.)
Cross.
a " dead end."
504.6
AUSTIN.
Broadway.
66
169.
AUTUMN.
School.
66
66
633.0
BEECH.
Harvard.
Spring. a " dead end."
1,163.6
BELMONT.
a 4-inch pipe. School.
66
3
663.
BONAIR.
a 4-inch pipe. Temple.
Heath.
1,342.2
BOSTON.
a 4-inch pipe.
a " dead end."
309.2
Bow.
a 6-inch pipe. Franklin.
Walnut.
2,641.5
CEDAR.
Broadway.
an 8-inch pipe.
60
a 6-inch pipe.
8
4,298.6
CHESTER.
Medford.
Cross.
CHESTNUT.
Poplar. Harvard, (East.)
CHESTNUT
(COURT.)
(West.)
CROSS.
Pearl.
Webster. a " dead end."
(ST. PLACE.)
Cross.
CUTTER.
Broadway.
a 4-inch pipe. a "dead end."
DANA. ELM.
Bonair. Milk.
Morrison.
5,407.2
EMERSON.
Everett.
EVERETT
Prospect.
a " dead end." Webster.
190. 468.5
82
Milk.
634.
BROADWAY.
a 12-inch pipe. an 8-inch pipe.
Elm st.
722.4
a " dead end."
441.
210.8
66
192.2
310.7
Broadway.
19.8
353.4
141.6
201.5
AVON.
230.
BERKELEY.
66
778.
BOND.
376.2
115.
a 2-inch pipe.
ALLEN.
STATEMENT OF DISTRIBUTION PIPES LAID IN 1870 .- CONTINUED.
Street.
From.
To
Ft. 12-in.
Ft. 8-inch.
Ft. 6-inch.
Ft. 4-inch.
Ft. 3-inch.
Ft. 2-inch.
EVERETT (AVE.)
Cross. Washington. a 4-inch pipe. Cross.
16
135.
391.5
352.
FOUNTAIN (AVE.)
Central.
Sycamore. a 6-inch pipe.
825.1
FRANKLIN.
Washington. Milk.
25.
317.
GEORGE.
Broadway.
a " dead end."
GLEN.
Broadway.
Webster.
790.4
463.0
HAMLET.
Highland (Ave.) Summer.
a " dead end." Beech.
736.1
HARVARD.
Harvard.
a " dead end."
100.
HARVARD (COURT.) HEATHI.
Temple.
a 3-inch pipe.
1,153.6
HIGGINS (COURT.) IVALOO. JOY.
Washington.
Poplar.
1,184.5
LINCOLN.
a 4-inch pipe. Milk.
647.2
LINDEN.
26.2
LINWOOD.
Fitchburg.
389.7
LONDON.
Linwood. Poplar.
714.5
MARSHALL.
a 6-inch pipe. Central.
"a dead end." Sycamore. a " dead end."
493.8
MEDFORD.
256.
MIDDLESEX.
Broadway.
66
439.5
MIDDLESEX (COURT) MILK.
Mystic (Ave.) Washington. Spring. Elm.
Eln. a " dead end."
274.2
MOSSLAND. MORRISON.
783.1
1
.
a " dead end."
790.
.
83
535.9
a 3-inch pipe. Washington.
Brooks.
a " dead end."
198.6
483.
Beacon
Arlington, (St.) a " dead end." Milk. a " dead end." Medford (St.)
47.
MAPLE.
375.
3.912.4 458.2
222.
FARRAR (COURT.) FITCHBURG. FLINT.
a 6-inch pipe. a " dead end."
480.4
FORSTER.
FROST (AVE.)
ch.
STATEMENT OF DISTRIBUTION PIPES LAID IN 1870 .- CONTINUED.
Street.
From
To
Ft. 12-inch.
Ft. 8-inch.
Ft. 6-inch.
Ft. 4-inch.
Ft. 3-inch.
Ft. 2-inch.
MT. VERNON. MYRTLE. MYSTIC (AVE.)
Washington. Milk.
Perkins. a " dead end."
1,118.4
551.8
Union, (South.)
66
310.7
66
(North.)
66
"
132. 2,012.2
655.3
PARK (AVE.)
Elm.
PEARL.
Cross.
710.6
POPLAR.
Milk.
Joy. Summer.
1,246.5
PROSPECT.
Milk.
a " a dead end."
453.8
PUTNAM.
Highland (Ave.)
762.9
RUSH.
Broadway. Highland (Ave.) Washington. Summer.
4-inch pipe. a " dead end." Milk.
1,311.6
SUMMER.
Laurel.
a " dead end."
281.
368.0
SUMMIT (AVE.)
Walnut.
96.8
SYCAMORE.
Medford (St.) Broadway.
a 4-inch pipe. Mystic (Ave.)
1,670.9
25.
UNION.
a 4-inch pipe.
WALNUT.
a 6-inch pipe. Myrtle.
834.5
234.4
WEBSTER. WINTHROP.
Broadway.
a " dead end."
448.
60.
5,154.9
25,534,5
24,204.7 364.7
3,130.5
483.
For hydrant branches,
24,569.4
84
287. 1,197.
SCHOOL.
230.
SKINNER (COURT.) SPRING.
TEMPLE.
*
217.0
WASHINGTON.
a 4-inch pipe. Cross.
a "dead end." Charlestown Line. a "dead end." Rush.
275.2
.
OXFORD.
Temple. School.
529.
441.
PORTER.
Elm.
85
SUMMARY OF DISTRIBUTION PIPES LAID IN TOWN TO JAN. 1, 1871 .
Ft. 12-in.
Ft 8-inch.
Ft 6-inch. Ft 4-inch.
Ft 3-in.
Ft2-in
Total in M's and Ft.
Laid previous to 1870. Laid in 1870.
5,886.6 60.
16,541.7 5,154.9
20,964.3 25,534.5
16,554.6
177.
1,118.
11.
|3,162.2
24,569.4
3.130.5
483.
11.
852.3
5,946.6
21,696.6
46,498.8
41,124.
3.307.5 1,601. 22. 4,014.5
SUMMARY OF STOP-GATES SET IN TOWN TO JAN. 1, 1871.
12-inch.
8-inch.
6-inch.
4-inch.
3-inch.
Total.
Set previous to 1870 .*
4
12
21
32
69
Set in 1870.
2
22
31
2
57
4
14
43
63
2
126
*Corrected from Report for 1869.
Also one 12-inch gate jointly with the City of Charles- town; and one 6-inch gate jointly with the City of Cam- bridge.
STATEMENT OF FIRE HYDRANTS SET IN 1870.
LOCATION.
LOCATION.
Auburn Avenue, near terminus,
Belmont st., about 400 feet from Milk st.
Berkeley st., about 400 feet from School st., Bond st., about 500 feet from Temple st., Bow st., near Summer st.,
Broadway, corner of Glen st.,
Cross st.,
opposite Winthrop st.,
Cedar street, near Clyde st.,
66 between Summer & Clyde st.,
Elm street, near Porter st., corner of Linden st.,
corner of Cedar st., corner of Irving st.,
near Tenney st.,
66
cornerof Grove st.,
near Holland st.,
corner of Morrison st.,
Everett avenue, near terminus,
Glen st., between Broadway & Webster st., Harvard street, near Beech st., Joy street, about 350 feet from Poplar st., Milk street, near Clark street,
66
Mystic st.,
Medford st.,
Poplar st.,
Fitch. R. R. Cross'g.
Cambridge line.
Mt. Vernon street, near Pearl st.,
Mystic Avenue, near Mass. Glass Works.
Porter street, about 500 feet from Elm st., Prospect st., near Fitch. R. R. Bridge, School street, near Aven st.,
Spring street, corner of Beech st.,
Temple street, near Bond st.,
Washington st., corner of Mt. Vernon st.
86
SUMMARY OF FIRE HYDRANTS SET IN TOWN TO JAN. 1, 1871.
Post.
Lowry.
Flush.
Total.
Set previous to 1870.
54
1
26
81
Set in 1870.
36
36
90
1
26
117
The value of the works is as follows : -
Value Jan. 1, 1870, as per Committee's Re- port for 1869, . $92,203.27
Expended during the past year, 66,546.50
Total value,
$153,749.77
The loans authorized by the town have been effected by the issue and disposal of Coupon Bonds, - denomi- nated "Somerville Water Loan," - as follows :
$20,000, dated April 1, 1870, payable April 1, 1873, interest at 7 per cent per annum.
$40,000 dated Oct. 1, 1870, payable Oct. 1, 1880, interest at 6} per cent per annum.
$20,000 dated Dec. 31, 1870, payable Jan. 1, 1881, interest at 62 per cent per annum.
The net cost of maintaining the works the past year has been $4,589.04, or a tax of about thirty-six and a half cents on a thousand dollars, town valuation. The water is now supplied to 994 dwelling houses (occupied by 1183 families,) 18 stores, 4 meeting-houses, 2 halls, the Middlesex Bleachery, American Tube Works, Massa- chusetts Brick Company, Tufts Brick Company, McLean Asylum, several small manufacturing establishments, and many of the public buildings belonging to the town.
87
During the past season, the Mystic Water Board of Charlestown - by legislative authority, - have com- menced the construction of an additional supply main through our town, (a 30-inch wrought iron and cement pipe,) from the reservoir on Walnut Hill; entering the town near Willow Bridge, and running through Broad- way, Medford and Pearl streets : to be continued through Mount Vernon and Perkins streets to Charlestown.
The advantages to this town, consequent upon the laying of this new main, besides the increase of head and additional safety against accidents by breaks and leaks in the immediate sources of supply, will be seen by the following : -
[AN ACT IN ADDITION TO AN ACT FOR SUPPLYING THE CITY OF CHARLESTOWN WITH PURE WATER; CHAPTER 216, SECTION 5, STATUTES OF 1870.]
The said City of Charlestown shall erect proper Hy- drants, in number equal to one for every five hundred feet of such new aqueduct, and in any event to the number of twenty in the Town of Somerville, along the line of said new aqueduct, or elsewhere in the pipes con- necting therewith, as the Water Committee of the Town of Somerville, and the Selectmen of the Town of Med- ford shall direct; and said Towns of Somerville and Medford shall at all times maintain said Hydrants, and draw water therefrom, without charge therefor, for the ex- tinguishment of fires, under such regulations as the City of Charlestown may from time to time establish under au- thority of this act. And for this purpose there shall be al- lowed to said Town of Somerville by the said City of Charlestown, in the settlement for Water for Hydrants under the contract now existing between said City of
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