1829.J The Bridges of London. 43 



(as from Church- streetj in Lambeth, to IMarket-street, in Westminster, 

 by either of the present bridges of Vauxhall or Westminster, the 

 distance saved will be more than a mile), a saving sufficiently 

 important to create an interest in the success of the undertaking com- 

 mensurate with the advantage. 



The improvements said to be contemplated in the Archiepiscopal 

 Palace — the opening a line of direct communication with the streets in 

 the neighbourhood of the new palace, St. James's Park — the improve- 

 ments on the estate of Lord Grosvenor, at Pimlico and Chelsea — make 

 this situation so eminently desirable for a bridge, and indeed call for 

 such a convenience instead of the present ferry, that it appears to us to 

 be a desideratum that ought to be wished for by the whole of the inha- 

 bitants of those districts. 



The design of the new bridge itself, as may be seen by Mr. HoUis's 

 sketch, consists of a series of seven arches, proposed to be executed in 

 cast iron, resting upon stone piers. " This description of structure,'' 

 says ]\Ir. Hollis, " possesses great advantages over stone bridges, on the 

 score of expense and facility of erection, and long experience with the 

 principle of their construction and the nature of the materials, has given 

 them a permanent character." 



We have bestowed much attention upon ]Mr. Hollis's design for this 

 bridge, which is proposed to be called the Royal Clarence Bridge, and 

 confess ourselves very much pleased with it. There is a lightness in the 

 structure, where iron arches are united with stone piers, wliich is incom- 

 patible with a bridge built entirely of stone — at the same time we are 

 awai'e of the great skill and science necessary in the construction, so as 

 to prevent the expansion and contraction of the metal for assisting the 

 structure. To render this improvement complete, a new branch road, 

 in a direct line from the Horseferry-road into Pimlico, has been laid down. 



Altogether, we heartily wish that these improvements may take place ; 

 they will not only be beneficial to the immediate inhabitants of the 

 locale, but they will remove neighbourhoods which are a disgrace to our 

 metropolis, and open a direct communication between two very populous 

 and very improving districts. 



[^During the period of our writing these strictures on the Bridges, the 

 difficulties attending the approaches to the New London Bridge appear to 

 have arrived at their climax ; and it seemed for some days very pro- 

 blematical whether the bridge would not remain a mere monument of 

 useless grandeur — or to be gazed at, but never walked upon. 



This has engendered some very lively discussions in both Houses of 

 Parliament. The City has been angered, and supposed their dignity 

 lowered, by being called upon for an. account of their income. 



All these differences are, however, now very happily adjusted, and the 

 approaches will be accomplished agreeably to the last plan proposed by 

 Alessrs. Rennie. 



All we can say upon this subject is, that the same mistake with regard 

 to tlie approaches having been made both in Waterloo and London 

 Bridges, we trust no other will be erected without a complete under- 

 stiumding of the locale, without which the most expensive undertaking 

 may be rendered useless.] 



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