The New River, Islington. Etching by W. Hollar, 1665.

This print probably represents the New River in Islington, London, cut in 1609-13 by (Sir) Hugh Myddelton, the "Waterhouse" being the Head of the river. The purpose of the construction was to transport drinking water from Hertfordshire to London. The water shown is the outer pond of the New River waterworks at New River Head which received surplus water from the main reservoir, known as the Inner Pond, which is within the circular brick wall on the right. The Waterhouse of the caption abuts the Inner Pond and can be seen in many engravings (Robert Ward, London's New River, Historical Publications 2003)