THE NEW BLACKFRIARS BRIDGE.
"If from the incalculable effect of the revolutions which empires undergo, the nations of a future age should demand one day what was formerly the New Sidon, and what has become of the Tyre of the West, which covered with her vessels every sea?—most of the edifices devoured by a destructive climate will no longer exist to answer the curiosity of man by the voice of monuments; But Waterloo Bridge, built in the centre of the commercial world, will exist to tell the most remote generations—'here was a rich, industrious, and powerful city.' The traveller, on beholding this superb monument, will suppose that some great prince wished, by many years of labor, to consecrate forever the glory of his life by this imposing structure. But if tradition instruct the traveller that six years sufficed for the undertaking and finishing the work—if he learns that an association of a number of private individuals was rich enough to defray the expense of this colossal monument, worthy of Sesostris and the Cæsars—he will admire still more the nation in which similar undertakings could be the fruit of the efforts of a few obscure individuals, lost in the crowd of industrious citizens."
Charing Cross is the next bridge on the Thames, being built of iron and used by a railway company. It was built by Brunel, and is a graceful structure, but does not permit of pedestrian traffic.
Westminster Bridge is nearly level in its grade, and has seven arches. It is 1,220 feet long. The cost was £400,000.
Lambeth Bridge is of iron with three arches, each of 280 feet span, and the width is 54 feet. Cost, £100,000.
Vauxhall Bridge is of iron with nine arches of equal span—each 78 feet wide. The breadth of the roadway is 36 feet, and the total length of the bridge is 840 feet.
Pimlico Railway Bridge is built of iron, with four openings or spans of 175 feet each. The bridge is 900 feet in length, and has a width of 24 feet.
Chelsea Chain Suspension Bridge is 922 feet long and 45 feet wide. Cost, £75,000.
Hammersmith Suspension Bridge is 841 feet long and 32 feet wide. Cost, £180,000.