The Book of Bridges, by the Author of 'Wonders of the Sea Shore'. (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1850. Excerpt: ... bridge is an enclosed gallery, lighted by numerous windows on each side; while a lodge or portico, at each end, contributes to the architectural BRIDGE AT NORWICH, CONNECTICUT. beauty of this singular and simple work. There is another bridge over the same river, of a similar construction, but consisting of three arches, the centre one a hundred and ninety-five feet in span, the two others a hundred and fifty-one. It is equally elegant as an object, though not so imposing in appearance, as the Colossus. In the wedge-bridge, built over the Piscataqua in North America, to which we have alluded in the description of the satin-wood bridge at Paradenia, the timber arch is put together with wooden keys in a very ingenious manner. The builder was Mr. Bludget, and the bridge is accurately described by Colonel Sir H. Douglas, in his work on military bridges. There are in our own country very few wooden bridges worthy of particular notice; where many once existed, stone bridges have taken their place. One, which stood near Stirling, in Scotland, is still remembered with interest, from the remarkable conflict which took place on it in 1297. It stood a little higher up the river than the present bridge of Stirling, and is celebrated for being the scene of the defeat of the English by Wallace. "The English were commanded by Earl Warren" (so state the Annals of Scotland), "who against his judgment, at the instigation of Hugh de Cressingham, treasurer of Scotland, and a clergyman, F crossed the bridge, and was defeated with horrible slaughter before the army could be formed on the opposite side. Cressingham was slain. So detested was he by the Scots, that they flayed his body and cut his skin into a thousand pieces, by way of insult on his pride and avarice. The English, ...