The Express.
London, England, 1859-12-15 00:00:00

TEE OPENING OP TELE VICTORIA BRIDGE.

(From the Modred Herald.)

- - -
The Grand Trunk Bridge over the Bt. Lawrence
wee yesterday opened by the pimp of a train, in which the
manager, Mr. Blackwell end a few other gentlemen, had
seats. The train started at 2 o'clock from the north side,
and made a successful run acmes, so as to join the ordinary
3 o'clock train for the east. Thus has been encousfully ao-
od, under our own eyes, the achievement in engi-
neeringwhich, so far, is by much the greatest which the
world has seen. It is, indeed, true that the inventor of a
new plea, or the discoverer of a new principle, is entitled
to the 10141100 r of all future applications of that
principle. So far, therefore, as tee tubular method
of construction is to be looked upon as that which
has governed the building of the Victoria Bridge,
Its germ is to be found in the sublime conception of Stephen-
son of the means by which the Menai Straits could be crossed.
But, in the extent of the work perforated, the Menai Bridge
bears no comparison with the one which was yeeterday
opened between the two shores of the St. Lawrence;
though the semi mode has been adopted for throwing girders
ammo the opeeings, it is obvious that this idea was bat a por-
tion of the engineering resources which had to be drawn upon
for the erection of so vast a structure, under circumstances
of se much peculiarity and difficulty. Boldness in general
conception wee, perhaps, more remarkable than fee-
-1 tility of invention of details in the construction of the
I Menai Bridge, though the last qudithation war, doubtless,
frequently called for in so novel en undertaking. la the
Victoria Bridge, the courage required was that of persever-
i once—the fortitude which toreeeea a vast mummies% of most
vexatious, though not ineurmountable, difficulties, and eels
Itself patiently and unwearyiegly to triumph over them all •
no matter how many, nor at what coat of bodily labour, and
wear and tear of soul, they have to be overcome. And with
this there was also demanded a constant readinees to meet
each new obstacle by en appropriate remedy. Without,
therefore, detracting anything from the debt which the
Victoria Bridge owes to tee Menai Bridge, we still claim for
our own the honour of being the greatest example of en-
gineeriog at present extant.
Most of our readers will remember the °makings • Ith
which the commencement of the bridge wee accompanied.
Snis insisted that the structure would never stand a eagle
shove of the ice; other., that the *oridge indeed would stand,
but that ito standing would lead to the deetruction of the city
by the mph of water, which would be backed up by this dam-
e We are wrong, perhape, in raying that
some prophesied one evil, and mum another; for we believe
that the mime men predicted the two calamities. Their ten-
derizes, for the bridge made them fear ter ire fare, while they
nevertheless expected that the bridge which would not stand
would overthrow the city. Bt. Helen's Island was esteemed
the only Maze spot at which to erase the river, and the
life-long scientific pursuits of 'he beat engineers were all
thought to be melees by the aide of the practical experience
of people who had been looking at the ioe for forty or fifty
winters, and who, therefore' were summed necesemily to
know all about its dynamics. Well, all these dismal mti-
cisiations are at an end. The bridge stands, and the city
stands too, end begins to think that it will, on the reticle, be
all the better for the bridge, though that beat the west end
of the town. As the time has cows round for the bridge to
be used, another panic has gradually subsided, and we doubt
if half a domn timid citizens Gould now be bond to :press a
fear that this noble aid to the ootomeme of Canada is to run our
particular trade, by °taxying trate and travel past us. Tie
late agreement dike Grand Trivet Company as to tbe 'ermines
has very effectually laid the lean of the bridge 'Meta which
have hitherto excited our nerves. We can, therefore, fur the '
future without any bitterness glory in it se one of the most
attractive curiosities of Montreal. For the Brat time the
vast river will be tram/seed throughout the winter without
inconvenience to the timid or the weak, The primitive
battestts, laboriously and slowly propelled by manual power
through half-Irene water and floating hills of Ms, will be
replaced by the meet perfect and powerful machine yet con-
ceived by man, which, governed by intellect, more than by
mueoln, will rooks its comes high above the glacial turmoil.
and thus visibly assert the superierity of the mind which
has contrived it, to the setter over whbb it triumphs.