Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1855-01-26

II the splendid bridges which span the Thames.
They are seven in Number, and serve to connect
the Middlesex portion Of the Metropolis, With
that on the Surry side. London bridge, the m5st
anc ent of them all. i, made Of granite, aud re-
ceives it. support from seven arches Of an clpti-
cal form. 1t rises slightly towards the centre.
and is said To have nearly twenty millions of
pounds. This bridge is in tie very heart of the
city, and i. very much used by the citizens Of
London. Southwark bridge comes next in ord,r,
and is most beautiful and superior structure.
1t is made of cast iron, resting on stone piers.
aud has three arches only, which of synlmet-
rical proportion and immense size. This bridge
cost eight hundred thousand pouuds.-an i'm
npuse sum even for this liberal country. Black
frinrs bridge is constructed OF granite and la,
nine clptcul arches. but it Is neither very
strong nor safe at present. Wartcrloo bridge
was first opened to the public in l5l7 and has
ever since been Of the glories of London. 1t
has nine arches, and i, perfectly level from one
end to the other. 1t is a magnificent monument
of skill and genius worthy of the Sesostris and
the Caesars"
Near this bridge is the famous Somerset House,
which was bull originally by the Protector Som
ersct, of materials taken from st. PauIs, aud
other churches in the ncighborhood. He was
beheaded however before its completion, and it
then became the property of the Crown. 1t is
remarkable for having been at different times,
the residence Of the Princess Elizabeth, and the
Queens of James Ist Charles ist, and Charles
Hind, successfully. 1t, in fact continued to be
used royal residence until the opening Of
Buckingham Palace, in l775, after which it was
| am ola MT ft,rt I,a
action of public business. .hr porch, which is
the strand, presents a most Noble and com
manding appearance. The bu .e,nrn. consists of
nine arches, upon the keystone of which, are
marks desi gned to represent the Ocean, and nine
of the principal rivers of the Kingdom. Above,
are four han lSome statues, emblenatic Of the
different quarters of the globe and surmounting
all, are the arms of England carved with exceed
ing accuracy and beauty. That part which faces
the river is considered one of the finest facades
in the worldand is Hanked by a handsome terrace
which adds much to the appearance of the build
ing \ short distance from this man sion, is the
llaugerford Suspension Bridge, which is for foot
passengers alone, who pay only the moderate
sum of half penny for the privilege of cross
ing. 1t is chain bridge, sustained by two I'M
! monse piers 81 feet i'll height, and having spun
in the centre of six hundred and eighty feet
This is very fine structure, but America can
boast of the nobest works of this character in
the world, for the magnificent bridges with which
the genius aud skill of her sons have spanned the
Ohio and Niagara have not been cqaaled, and
can never be surpassed.
Then comes Westminster Bridge, which is of
stone, and has fifteen arches, which gradually
moron in 81 towards zach Sbnra h,;,l,,a
presents a fine appearance, but it is considered
unsafe, and is undergoing repair. If it can
be made strong, it will certainly be rendered so,
for they spend money recklessly here upon thoir
public works. Valall Bridge is the last one
within the limits of the city. 1t is made of cast
iron, stands upon piers of stone, and has nine
arches each of Is feet span, This structure was
completed in 1916, and cost three hundred thou
sand pounds
have thus entered into minute account of the
bridges of London, in the order of their location
on the Thames. Ny object in doing so was two
fold. In the first place, found them objects of
great interest both ON account of their architec-
tural beauties and the many associations connec.
ted with them. And secondly,I desired to acquaint
those who may read these letters, with the ma
ture Of public works IN England, and the liberal
ity with which appropriations are made for their
benefit. These are the monuments which differ
ent generations leave behind them, to tell to pos
terity of the spirit and character Of the different
epochs in the history of a nation. These are the
donations Of the past to the future, by which the
liberay and expanded ideas of the one are per
prtuated for the benefit Of the other These are
the glorious land -marks which proclaim the ee-
walton of science, and herald the march of mind.
Let our people remember these things and for
get that shortsightcd and narrow minded policy,
Which has so long tettered the spirit of improve
mcnt in many portions of our country. Let each
of our citizens place his back to the past, and
with the cry of progress on his lips pres, onward
in that great race whose goal can only be reach
ed, when the highest prosperity of America is at
tanned, and whose prize is the universal admira-
ton of al! coming time.
As | went up the river, | met with ''the Bar
ges' of which had so often read and observed
the Police stations, which have been established
lation of London. | passed also the Docks for
which the city is famous, surrounded by hundreds
of ships loading for every market in the world.
But objects Of wealth and thrift were not the
only ones which presented themselves to my
view. | saw numbers of little narrow streets
terminating at the river, filled with the most mis-
cradle looking beings | ever bcheld. Squalid,
dirty and dcfarmed, they seemed but characters
coniut ed up by the fancy of Dickens, or the