The Express.
London, England, 1864-11-08 00:00:00

NOTICE..

Sootbwsrk•bridge is frOriiiis day open to the public
free of toll for a period of six months and until further
orders. Opened by the Cheirman end Directors of the
Southwark•bridge Company, in the presence of the Right
Hon. William Lawrence, Lord Mayor, and the Chairman
and Members of the Bridge Estates Committee.

When the procession had left the bridge on the
City aide, the c. Jwd which had gathered round the
toll-gates made a frantic attempt to run down the
money-takers, and achieve a free passage over,
but the officials on the other hand anxious
to retain their powers to the last possi-
ble moment, made au equally frantic resist-
ance, shouting, "Two o'clock, not until two
o'clock," at the very top of their voices. But
public opinion was too strong for them, the crowd
rushed on to the bridge and achieved a wild stam-
pede into Surrey, whist the money-takers retired
into their cella and tranquilly prepared for the ter-
mination of their political existence.
Southwark-bridge, which we trust we may now
and henceforth look upon as one of the free high-
ways over the Thames is, as compared with Black-
friars which is now in the hands of the destroyer,
an edifice of modern construction. It was begun
Sept. 23, 1814, and completed March 26, 1819,
having thus taken fire years in construction, a long
period when compared with the time occupied over
similar erections in the present day. It was
looked upon as a triumph of its class of architec-
ture, and even now its bold and wide-spanned
arches are often admired. It coat 800,1)01., and
never paid a dividend, so that allowing only simple
interest at five per cent. on that sum, its construc-
tion has iu the forty-five years during which the
bridge has been open to the public entailed
a loss to the proprietors of 1,800,006/., whilst if
the sum were calculated at compound interest
the amount would be almost incredible. We un-
derstand that the terms upon which the temporary
emancipation of the bridge ha., been effected have
so far given satisfaction on both sides, so that there
is every reason to hope that this salutary and pub-
lic spirited "time bargain" will result in an
arrangement for its permanent opening. The
advantages to be expected from such a measure
will not be long in showing themselves, as there is
no doubt but that the new route will at once relieve
both London-bridge and Blackfriars of an enormous
amount of their traffic. Cannou-street will become
one of the busiest thoroughfares in London, and
various localities which are now comparatively
neglected will be transformed into busy centres of
trade and population.

SOUTHWARK-BRIDGE. Southwark-bridge wan
originally projected by Mr. Wyatt, and erected at a cost of
800,000!. by a company of proprietors, who obtained the
act of parliament in 1811, the opinion expressed by Mr.
Rennie, the engineer, and suggested at the third reading of
the bill, that after "one hard frost London-bridge might
not last one year," serving as an excellent reason for expe-
diting the erection of a new one in the vicinity. The work
was commenced September 23, 1814. The first atone of
the tooth tier was laid by Lord Keith, on the
May 23, 1815, and on the ith of June,llBl7, the Right Hon.
Matthew Wood (Lard Mayor) laid the first stone of the
northern abutment. The opening of the bridge took place
at midnight on the 24th of March. 1819. when '• 30 lanterns
lighted by gas gave a most brilliant effect." There was no
particular ceremony observed on the occasion, but, ea St.
Paul's clock struck 12 the toll of one penny commenced.

INSTALLATION OF THE LORD MAYOR. —(THIS
DAY.)—This morning Alderman W. Sconces Hale, who has
hero chrsen Lord Mayor of Loodoo in succession to Alder-
man William Leyrrence whose term of office /spires to-
day, was iostalled into office with the customary usages on
curb 00111111i01111, in the Guildhall. The proceedings of the
day commenced with s. breakfast at the Mauston-house, to
which were invited the mi •ten and principal of6oers of the
companies to which the Lord Mayo: and Lord Mayor elect
respectively belong ; Alderman and Sheriff Ditto. Alder-
man and Sheriff Bralor, Mr. Russell Gurney, Q.C., the
Recorder, Mr. T. Chambers. Q C., the onmmoo-serjeant.
&hounder-sheriffs (Mew& Davidson and Do Jersey), sad
other civic officials.