A STATISTICAL ACCOUNT 



OF THE 



SCHUYLKILL PERMANENT BRIDGE. 



THE State of Pennsylvajua has long been deser^ 

 vedly famed, for the multitude and excellence of its 

 bridges, over the various smaller streams, by which it 

 is intersected. But no permanent means of transport- 

 ation across the large and widely extensive rivers, flow- 

 ing in and through, or bounding, this fertile and flou- 

 rishing region, had, until a late period, been attempted. 

 That thrown lately over the Schuylkill^ at the west end 

 of the High or Market Street of the city of Philadel- 

 phia; one over the same river at JReadi?ig; those over 

 the Lehigh at Bethlehem^ JFeiss^s ferry, and one near its 

 discharge into the Delaware; have begun the career of 

 hydraulic architecture, which will increase the celebrity 

 of this State in that important branch of public improve- 

 ment. A bridge over the Delaware at Easton, con- 

 necting Pennsylvania with the State of Nerv Jersey^ is 

 in great forwardness;* under the direction of Mr. T. 

 Palmer. One on a peculiar construction, and highl)^ 

 necessary for the passage of the mails, and other con- 

 stant transportation, upon the great Post road of com- 



* Since the account was drawn up, it is completed in its 

 Frame, which, after the example of the Schuylkill bridge, is 

 covered. 



