Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-05-08
Bridging the Nile.

The editor of the Boston Medical and Surgi-
cal Journal, now on visit to Egypt and Nubia,
gives the following account Of the bridge in
progress of construction across the Nile, near
Cairo.
The pyramids are now in full sight, 8 miles
off. A French engineer is constructing strong,
ter is both deep and swift. The arches are of
large brick, neatly turned. Another appears to
be building over the Damietta branch, as seen
in the distance. Mud. machines, all iron, work.
ed by steam; pile-drivers, and machinery of all
kinds for carrying on heavy business besides
immense piles of stone, brick, timber and other
materials, independently of aborers, stones,
carts, boats, and mules, give the spot for miles
around, an active and bustling appearance
Six years, We are informed have elansed since
the piers were commenced. This is the first
bridge, it is believed, over the Nile. The un-
dertaking indicates more ample resources, and
greater energy in the government than we have
seen since leaving the Pashas fleet at Alexan-
dria. On making visit to the embankmens
about the abutments Of the bridge, to secure
them from the assaults Of the angry river god,
when he finds these obstucting arches in the
way of his floods fell in with one of the en-
glneers, and some statistics were gathered from
him respecting the bridge. 1t was commenced
by Mahomet Ali, some years since, and fear
is entertained that 1t will never be Finished
The diving bell is an extraordinary machine,
with which 60 men at once are sunk to the riy-
er bed to drive piles, lay the foundation stones,
&c. The water at the lowest point, is thirty
feet deep, and the mud thirty more below that,
down through which the foundation for the pill
lar is sunk in iron boxes till Its weight lodges
on the firm bottom The whole length of the
piers ready for receiving tile arches, is 80 feet
twenty feet above high water. Last year $4,000
men were employed, at present only 1000, the
Pasha having used up his funds in building and
furnishing costly palaces in every direction
Every three months, the governor of village
is called on for certain number of villagers,
for this public work Of course, they are pro-
mscously impressed and sent down. Their dali
ly pay is only cents-fDding their own food
as they can. A judge has all office at the ar
senal at the east end of the bridge, before whom
the laborers are brought on all complaints. Two
witnesses are sufficient a charge and so LASH
es for a man and 25 for a boy Is the ordinary
sentence, which is instantly executed. A per-
petual hogging is going on every day except
the Mahometan Sabbath-to-dGy Friday being
one--when all labor is suspended. The chief
engineer Frenchman, has salary of 25 purs-
es a month"; equal to Gl25 sterling; the judge
IL pounds for keeping the peace. A ragged
black fellow, half bare, above and below, order
ed our boat from pin in the mud to which it
was fast, waiting for wind saying he was the
Pacha's guard. Ipointed TO our stripes and stars
at the peak and told him to touch the line at
his peril. After much display of oratorica
t wrath, he intmated that present would make
n n rigbt which he did not get