The semi-weekly mountain Democrat. (Placerville, El Dorado Co. [Calif.]) 1860-1860, 1860-12-22
M.gnituAs of Oar Public works.


1t has been fashionable to compare un.
favOrably the works of this country with
those Of Europe. To such an extent has
this been carried that it is not unfreduent.
ly said that we have to look to England
or the continent for most Of our examples.
We are continually told by travellers Of
the great extent, beauty and durability of
the continental works; and of the enoF-
nous strength Of the English structures.
Now, il is perfectly true that Europe can
boast Of railroads, canals, bridges, and
aqucducts unrivalled In the world for
beauty and excellency Of workmanship
and design, but it is equally true that
America can point to works Of utility
that, In the magni6crnce Of their proper.
tions, are not excclled anywhere.
The Julien Aqueduct Of Rome is two
miles longer than the Croton Aqueduct
Of New York, built by John B. jarvis
and IOratiO Allen, but the CrOtOn carries
more water than all the seven naueducts
Of Rome put together, and more than
any other aqueduct in the world, and is
longer than any other except the Julien.
The Illinois Central Railroad. built by
Col. Mason, As the longest line ever con.
structed by one company, and in point Of
workmanship is equal to any OF the Eu.
ropcans ronds.
The National Road over the Cnmber-
land mountains built by the United
States Engineer Corps is more expensive
and durable by far than the Appian Way.
The stone arch over Cabin Johns Creek,
on the Washington aqueduct, built by
Capt. Mcigs, is about fifty feet greater
span than any other stone arch in the
world, and is more beautiful in proper.
ton than the arch over the Oso, so long
celebrated for its inagnifccncc.
The tunnel built by Mr.. Haupt, on the
summit of the Pennsylvania Railroad,
was a more difficult work than the tunnel
under the Thames. ---------------
The structure on the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad at Harpcr's Ferry, and be.
yOnd the Summit, built by Latrobe, and
the Stirroca Viaduct on tle New York
and Erie RairOrd, built by Julius Adams,
are equal in magnihcencc and excellence
of workmanship to any thing Brunei ever
did in England, or Moran in France.
The suspension bridge over the Niagara
river at Lewiston, built by Mai. SerrelI,
is ,O42 feet 10 inches in one span, and is
43 feet greater than any other Single span
in the world, bctng nearly twice as great
and quite as strong as TellOrd's celebrated
bridge. over the Mcnai Strai Is in England.
The United States Dry Dock at Brook
lyn is the largest dry dock in the world
by many feet. The work manship done
under the direction Of Mr.. M'Alpine and
General Stuart, is equal, If not superior,
in any thing Of the kind anywhere. The
plates OF iron used in the CRATES Of this
dock are the largest that had ever been
made mp to the time they were rolled.
The flight of combined locks on the
Erie canal at LockpOrt, built by the State
Engineers, are equaled only in one other
place in istcndom.-Sweden.
The railroad suspension bridge, built
by Roebling over the Niagara, is within a
few feet Of twice the span Of Stephens
great tubular bridge in England, the
largest structure of the kind. 1t is 800
feet in one span, and is two stories high,
the railroad being above the public high
way. Nothing like this exists any where
else.
The Lighthouse built by Captain Alex.
ander, is in more exposed situation, and
as far as has been proceeded with, is
more securely bOlted together than the
famous EddystOne Lighthouse in England.
The bridge at Wheeling, built by Chas.
Ellct, is exceeded only in span by the
Lewiston bridge, and is heavier than it.
1t is the second largest span in the world,
and is much more beau tiful than the
Frcirburg bridge, its European rival.