Back in 1859, a British vicar named Rev. Henry Moule invented a toilet that was intended to avoid polluting water, which he considered a sacred gift from God. It was patented as the Moule's Dry Earth Closet Commode. They were available in this privileged corner of the British Empire and beyond.The idea was to fill a bucket below the seat with sifted dirt (no sand!) and when the job was done, another scoop of soil was dumped on top in order to help speed the decaying process. Everything was supposed to convert into rich soil that could be used in the garden (yum yum!). It was also practical for cottages, as this ad from the Montreal Daily Witness points out. Because, without a supply of running water or cesspit to maintain, you could have had one of these things handy whenever nature calls. Supposedly, Queen Victoria enjoyed the use of one at Windsor Castle.
This map indicates where you could buy one in Montreal in 1883. The buildings have long since been demolished -- replaced by the former Montreal Star/The Gazette building (now a hotel), just across from the Ville Marie Express-pit and the Convention Palace.
Ah yes, the Rev. Moule would begin his sermon to the congregation with "Dear Brethren and Cistern..."
ReplyDeletePeabody
Henry Moule should have been taken more seriously. If the earth closet had "won" over the water closet, we would have less polluted waterways and fresh water would be less of an issue in places like southwestern U.S. I wish the author would have addressed this as a way to save a lot of water. Prior to our "modern" times, composted human waste was used to fertilize fields and recycle precious nubrients.
ReplyDeleteWe have used this method for almost ten years with a huge savings of water not to mention the nutrients used on our garden. We grew some the largest beets (and other crops)using our composted human waste.
Waste water treatment plant material is not suitable for farmer's fields because many people "get rid of" toxic chemicals by "flushing them away".
If we could return to reality and recognize what we have sacrificed for our frivolous use of water, the world would be a better place.
Ann from Vermont