"The Eiffel Tower is 1000 feet high; if the Forth Bridge were put up on end, it would be 5280 feet in height. The tower has in its construction 7500 tons of iron; the bridge has 53,000 tons of the best steel. The tower was made in about six months; the bridge has required seven years. The Eiffel Tower is a wonderful thing; but, then, how much more wonderful is the Forth Bridge!"—Illustrated London News.
The Bridge. You took lots of beating, my sky-scraping friend,
But Benjamin Baker has compassed that end;
I am sure Monsieur Eiffel himself would allow
That the Bridge licks the Tower; so where are you now?
The Tower. J'y suis et j'y reste, my big friend and great rival,
I hope for a long and a glorious survival;
But don't mind admitting—all great souls are frank—
That you—for the present at least—take first rank
'Midst the mighty achievements adorning our sphere