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Tlic Coitntry Gcntkniaiis MagarAne 



as the carpenters say, "stronger than strong 

 enough ; " and care should be taken to give 

 it sufficient abutments on each side, observ- 

 ing, however, that they are entirely concealed 

 "by ivy and other creeping plants, as Avell as 

 by shrubs. The rustic work sliould be made 

 of pieces of wood with the l)ark on, which 

 may be varnished to prevent the bark peeling 

 off, a dead, dull-looking varnish being used, 

 as a shining appearance would materially 



fully arranged ; the ivy might be mixed with 

 the Virginian creeper, both plants being 

 grown on the banks from which the bridge 

 springs, and being carried along the railings 

 so as partially to shade the whole bridge. 



If preferred, the planks which form the 

 foot-path of the bridge may be disguised by 

 laying short pieces of wood, of equal lengths, 

 across them, like what the Americans call 

 "corduroy roads ;" but this is unpleasant to 



injure the effect of the bridge. In the bridge 

 shewn there is an elevated part just in the 

 centre, but this may be omitted if not liked ; 

 or a seat may be placed on the bridge at that 

 part, and ivy trained on a frame over it, so 

 as to hang down and form a kind of rustic 

 arbour. Of course this would only be ap- 

 propriate where the view of the bridge was 

 particularly fine, and the ivy and frame-work 

 would require to be very skilfully and taste- 



walk on, and gives a feeling of insecurity to 

 the foot-passenger. It must be observed that 

 a rustic bridge of the kind described is most 

 suitable in wild romantic scenery, and that 

 when used over a quiet stream, it should not 

 be near, or even in sight of the house. In 

 such cases, particularly if the house chance to 

 be an Italian villa, with stone terraces, and 

 other architectural ornaments, the bridges 

 should certainly be of stone. 



