Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1819-05-29

bending over the water, which, meeting
at the top, formed Gothic arch over the
stream, the vertex of which was about
20 feet below the present floor of the
bridge. Though now purposely discon-
nected from the bridge, the Gothic arch
still stands underneath the Roman, and
is esteemed by architects Tin point of
mechanical ingenuity, as great curiosi-
ty as the bridge itself
The bridge contains SO, 1913 feet of tim
Der, running measure, besides $500
feet Of board measure, in addition to
2O,9O6 feet of timber, contained in the
false bridge or supporter. All this has
been effected by the labor of somewhat
less upon an average) than % workmen,
within the short space of nine months.
Were this fact told in Europe, it would
only excite the smile ofincredulity. The
bridge at Schaflhausen, in Swift erland,
which, for almost half a century, was re-
garded as the pride of the eastern hemis-
phere, was built, we are informed, in a
little less than three years, and was the
longest bridge in Europe. 1t was but
IL feet longer span than the bridge at
Carthage, (admitting that it derived no
support from pier in the centre was
only l8 feet wide, and of ordinary and
convenient height. twas destroyed du-
ring the French revolution, and no en-
tire arch is known at present in the old
world to exceed $40 feet span. The
most lofty single arch in Europe, is in
England, over the river Wear, at Sum
derland, which falls short of the bridge
at Carthage ll6 feet in the length of the
span, and 90 feet in the height of the
arch. The bridge at Carthage may,
therefore, be pronounced unrivalled, in
its combined dimensions, strength, and
beauty, by any structure of the kind, in
Europe or America.
The scenery around it is picturesque
and sublime. Within view from it are
three waterfalls of the Genessee, one of
which is los feet perpendicular descent.
The stupendous banks, the mills and
machinery, the forest yielding to the in
dustry OF a rising village, and the navi-
o"ciS "oeSio iol NV iOtto DClOW IL, dTC
calculated to fill the mind of generous
beholdcr with surprize and satisfaction.
Particularly is this the case when the
utility of the bridge is regarded in con-
nection with its extent. 1t presents the
nearest route from Canandaigua to Lew
lstown-it connects the points of the
great Ridge Road; it opens to the coun-
ties Of Genessee and Niagara direct
communication with the water privileges
at the lower falls, and the head of nayi-
cation on the river; and renders the
village of Carthage accessible and con-
venient, as thoroughfare from the east,
the west, and the north.
Mr.. I. II. Wentworth, distinguish
ed landscape painter, has lately taken
three views of the bridge, one of which
he intends to publish in large and ele-
giant engraving. The representations
he has made are elegant and correct; and
1t is hoped that a generous public will
foster the efforts of an ingenious self
taught artist, by liberal support. The
line arts now promise to enhance the
pleasure of taste, by delineation of the
most striking contrast between the mag
niiicence of art, and the grandeur of ma
ture, that the scenery of the western
world can present.