[Illustration:  Fig. 1.—­MAP OF PARIS WITH ST. FARGEAU STATION]

In describing the developments that have taken place during the last two years, we shall confine ourselves entirely to the details of a report recently made on the subject by Professor Riedler.  As soon as it became evident that a very largely increased installation was necessary, it was determined that the new central station should be as free as possible from the defects of the first one.  These defects, which were the natural results of the somewhat hasty development of an experimental system, were of several kinds.  In the first place, so large a growth had not been contemplated, and the extensions were made more or less piecemeal, instead of being on a regular plan; the location of the central station itself was very unfavorable, both as regards the facilities for obtaining coal and other supplies; the cost of water was excessive, and the amount available, inadequate.

This evil was partly remedied by elaborate arrangements for cooling the injection water so that it could be repeatedly used, a device costly and ineffective, and resulting in extravagant working, to say nothing of the high charges made by the Paris company for supplying water.  To these drawbacks had to be added others of an even more serious character.  The engines first laid down were not economical, and the compressors employed gave but a very inferior result; with each extension of the plant, the efficiency of both engines and compressors was increased, the most satisfactory, we believe, having been those supplied by the Societe Cockerill, and one of which was exhibited at the Paris exhibition in 1889.  Still it was clearly recognized that much better results were possible, results which Professor Riedler claims have been attained and which will be embodied in the new installation now in progress.

This central station is located on the left bank of the Seine, close to the fortifications, opposite Vincennes and not far from the terminal stations of the Orleans and the Paris, Lyons, and Mediterranean Railways; the plan, Fig. 1, shows the position.  The works are separated from the river by the quay, over which a bridge will be constructed for the transfer of coal from the landing stages belonging to the company, into the works; as will be readily seen from the plan, it would be quite easy to run junction lines to the two adjacent railways, but with all the advantages given by water carriage, it was considered unnecessary to incur the expense.  The river also affords a constant and unlimited water supply, so that none of the difficulties existing at St. Fargeau Station in imperfect condensation and cooling will be met with.