The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-01-27


sAs magnificent dome. The construcston %
- numsEous sewers and aqusducts Of Rome,
- many public sdiAces, the cnpola over the
Pantheon. the Oolliseum, and the bridge
over the Tiber are all evidences Of their skill
In architecture and masonry. The Roman
bridges were built entirely Of stone, and
were not distinguishabas for size, but for So
lidity and durability. The first record Of 3.
wooden bridge IL that thrown across the
Rhine by Julius Cesar. and described in his
commentaries, over which description many
. schoolboy has puzzled his brain In futile
snorts 70 comprehend. Timber IL uadoubt-
edly the most ancient and most ready mate
rial. but less durable. Probably the best
specimen OF wooden bridge now existing is
nat over the Rhine, at the fall OF Schaf
hansen. The bsst collection Of bridges Ia
across the Thames Ct London, for Black.
frfars, Westminster, Waterloo, London,
and Southwark or Trafalgar, area spisn'
did examples Of different classes.
The construction of mstal bridges rs par
ticularly owing to tho skill Of British archi-
tects. They are found TO be durable, safe,
and less expensive than others,-ths only
objection laying in the expansion and con-
traction of the material by being exposed to
different extremes Of temperature. Modern
skill has, however, overcome this difficulty,
and now they are looked upon as the best
and most desirable bridges liz use. This
science. which has been brought to such per-
lection In these latter days, Is b. no means az
simple as many suppose. The construction
Of small bridge may be an easy process,
while that of a larger one may be extremely
dificult for the strength of the material
does not increase with its weight, and there
are limits beyond which no structure could
be carried and Withstand its own gravity
But, enough of this, rs I am not writing an
essay on bridge. building, but merely putting
down few random thoughts which pre-
sented themselves while standing before
Frink's patent suspension bridge over the
east branch of the Elizabeth river.
The news Of the defeat at Somerset was
received here with a great deal of sadness
and hints of mismanasement on the part of
general officers were freely bruited about
As no definite information, beyond that con-
tanned in the Yankee account, had been re-
ceiyed it was generally conceded the better
plan TO wait for further intelligence before
condemning any one. 1t seems to be set
tied opinion, however, that something was
wrong, for no one doubts the bravery Of the
soldiers engaged. The distance of the local
ity of the battle causes less interest than fit
had been in Virginia or nearer by; still a
disaster to cur arms is keeniy felt, no matter
in what part of the Confederacy it may &C.
cur, find q great deal of anxiety in Nor
folk regarding the army of the Potomac, and
everyone is lamentiog the absence of any re-
liable news from that line. There is q uni
versal expression of condolences In General
Bsauregard, and Generals Smith, Lonsstreet,
Stuart, and others, every one feeling salts
fed that if not bound down by the doubtful
plans of higher authorities, they will lead
our daring soldiers to a glorious victory be-
fore many more weeks roll away.
BOHEMIAN.