Subscribe now

Letter: Letter

Published 26 September 1998

From Arthur Robinson

One of the first flushing lavatories was described in 1596 by Sir John
Harington in “A new discourse of a stale subject called the metamorphosis of
Ajax”.

A hilarious and scholarly account of the whole subject is Cleanliness and
Godliness, or, The Further Metamorphosis by Reginald
Reynolds (Allen & Unwin, 1943).

Prestatyn, North Wales

Issue no. 2153 published 26 September 1998

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop