42 The Bridges of Londan. fJuLY, 



" Many men," however, have " many minds," and where there are 

 many minds unguided by one master-spirit, there is seldom any thing 

 done effectually. It is in human natm'e to prevent the progress of im- 

 provement, unless it can be done in one's own way ; and thus many a great 

 good is lost by being referred to committees, the members of which are 

 thinking more of their own infallibility, than of the real object of their 

 assembling. 



The great difference of opinion has been, whether the bridge should be 

 a suspension bridge, or a regular architectural constrviction ; and this 

 difference of opinion has acted so powerfully, as hitherto to prevent the 

 adoption of either, and thus has stopped the progress of this much- wished 

 for and most essential improveinent. 



The gentleman who appears to have given the most attention to this 

 subject, and who from his knowledge of the locale, has submitted the best 

 digested and most comprehensive plan of the whole improvement, is 

 IMr. Hollis, architect and civil engineer, of Stamford-street, who has 

 devoted the last two or three years almost entirely to this subject, and 

 to his attempts to carry his plan^ into execution. He has just now 

 published a pamphlet, in which the whole of his projecte<l plans of 

 improvement are set forth. 



The alteration and improvements proposed by l\Ir. Hollis, are offered 

 more especially to the inhabitants of Lambeth and Westminster, " a~s 

 affording them the opportunity of keeping pace with the spirit of the 

 times, and of contributing to the solid improvement of some of their 

 neglected districts ; thus enabling them to vie with other parts of the 

 capital in consequence and convenience." 



The general outline of these projected improvements consists in a new 

 street from Lambeth Palace to Vauxhall, parallel to the banks of the 

 Thames — a new bridge from Palace Wharf to Milbank, and lastly, a 

 communication from this bridge with Pimlico. Any one at all con- 

 versant with the relative situation of tliese parts and their pi-esent incon- 

 veniences, will at once see the utility attendant on the accomplishment 

 of these plans. 



The line contemplated to be taken in the proposed new street, com- 

 mences nearly opposite to Lambeth church, and leading in a line parallel 

 to the Thames, till it opens into Broad-street, Lambeth-butts. By these 

 means, not only Avill a handsome street be obtained, but many valuable 

 wharfs and water-side premises, which will well repay the capital pro- 

 posed to be expended. Persons possessing these new wharfs will have 

 the opportunity also of adding residences in the frontage to the street, 

 similar to Belvidere and Commercial-roads. The depths of the proposed 

 new wharfs will be from 110 to 120 feet from the river to the street, 

 and the width of the street is intended to be 45 feet. 



The description of property removed by this street, comprising 

 chiefly premises of an inferior description, and situated in small courts 

 and alleys, and the gr.-atest portion of the buildings being old and very 

 much dilapidated, their removal will be a great source of gain, as well 

 as of improvement to the parish of Lambeth. This new line of street is 

 shewn in plan No. l,in Mr. Hollis's pamphlet; the plan No. 2, shews 

 the general outline of all the roads connecting themselves with the pro- 

 jected bridge, and this plan fully proves the comparative distance and 

 saving that will be effected l>y the improvement. To the more immediate 

 districts on each side of the Thames, the saving will be most important 



