276 Observations on taking doum and 



But we have the following items * of charge, by which we 

 may guess that doubling the estimate will be found too small 

 an allowance for contingencies, 



1. The bridge is to be erected in a hole where the depth of 



water, at high water, is 46 feet. 



2. The approaches are to be made through property of great 



value, and in a thoroughfare of persons and carriages as 

 close as sheep in a flock. 



3. On removing the old bridge. 



4. On raising about 40 miles of river wall, varying from 24 to 



26 inches in height, and strengthening the banks by wharf- 

 ing and piling, in order to provide against the effects of 

 frequent floods, expectant on giving a freer water-way, and 

 increased velocity and height, to the current. 



5. On dredging out a channel for the current at low water, for 



the navigation. 



6. On the necessity of narrowing the river in several parts. 



• Many great losses will be sustained by individuals under the heads of 

 these items, but for which, they will be shut out from having any compen- 

 sation from the city ; nevertheless, they must be considered part of the cost 

 of the new bridge. It may be proper to inquire, who are to be subject to 

 these actions, suits, indictments, claims, and demands, which are thus 

 shifted from the mayor, commonalty, and citizens i On the northern shore, 

 we find, among others, the Duke of Northumberland, the Rev. William 

 Lowth, the Duke of Devonshire, the owners of Fulham Town Meadow, 

 Viscount Cremorne, Lord Cadogan, Lord Grosvenor, the Chelsea Water- 

 works Company, the Crown, and others. 



From Teddington eastward to Cotton stairs, near Westminster Bridge, 

 all the river walls are defective in height to resist such a flood as that of 

 the 28th December, 1821, that deficiency varying from one foot at Twicken- 

 ham, to two feet five inches at Cotton Garden stairs ; but, generally, in the 

 less populous parts westward, the walls are from three to five feet below 

 that level ; while the lands in the populous parts northward are greatly 

 below it ; for example, Walham-green and Cnelsea are from one to five 

 feet below this level. The ground of the Penitentiary is eight feet be- 

 low this level. The Vauxhall Bridge road, and Tothill-helds, are generally 

 from three to four feet below this level. St. James's Park, on tne south 

 side, varies from sixteen inches to eight feet below this level ; and there are 

 various defective banks or ways, as far eastward as the Duchess of Buc- 

 cleugh's, for the water to get to these parts: It will be the duty of the 

 commissioners of sewers forthwith to give notice to the various proprietors 

 to repair their banks, by raising or otherwise ; and it will be a matter de- 

 terminable by the custom or peculiar laws of the commissioners, whether, 

 in default of complying with such notices, the commissioners may direct 

 the proper raisings and wharfings tt^ be done, and rate the proprietors of 

 the banlcs for the cost, or leave them to the actions, suits, indictments, l^c, 

 of which the mayor and commonalty are so apprehensive. 



After the demolition of the dam of London Bridge, this level will be that 

 of not a very uncommon high sea-tide, west of London Bridge. 



