Ware on Vaults and Bridges. 293 



The subject of this Tract has become just Jiow of so much 

 interest, that we are induced to give Jin extract from it : es- 

 pecially as we learn that the author's opinion is in a great 

 degree confirmed by a Report just made by Mr. Telford to 

 the Corporation of London, the substance of which we hope 

 to be able to give in our present Number. 



^^ On the Effects of increasing the Water-ixay of London Bridge. 



" By a table of the levels of tides taken for a period of four 

 weeks, it is manifest, if London bridge be removed, and 

 what is called a proper water-way be given, that the ordinary 

 hi^h water of spring tides will sometimes be thirteen inches* 

 higher above London bridge than at present ; and, by the Re- 

 port of 1814, that it will be twenty-four inches higher; and it 

 is probable that the extraordinary high tides may, in that case, 

 rise three or four feet higher than the present extraordinary 

 high tides. The Crown has considerable property in the low 

 lands f; and that of individuals is to a great amount. Perhaps 

 it may be thought prudent to determine the levels of the wharfs, 

 river "^ walls, and banks, and of the low lands westward of Lon- • 

 don bridge, on both sides the river, in respect to high tides, as 

 far as the tide runs or may run in the case of the removal of 

 the obstruction to it at London bridge, and not trust to intui- 

 tive opinions, however eminent may be the persons who ven- 

 ture them, before such a river as the Thames is let loose from 

 a bondage of some centuries on a j^opidous neighbourhood, in lew 

 lands, occupied, like the theatre of the Philistines at Gaza, in 

 the confidence of its enemy being shorn of his strengthX. 



" Mr. Foulds, engineer to London bridge water-works, being 

 asked, ' Do you know what effect the enlargement of the cen- 

 tre arch had upon the influx and reflux of the tide?' answered, 



* See Rep. House of fcom. 1821. But by other levels since taken, it will 

 sometimes be 2.^ inches instead of 13, and the average will be 12 instead 

 of 8 inches ; which confirms the Report of 1814. 



f The flood of the 28th Dec. ult. may be hereafter an ordinary occur- 

 rence. ' ^,,, . . 



X TheCrown, theCity of London,the Dean and Chapter of Wcstnunster, 

 the Dukes of Northumberland and Devonshire, the Bishop of London, and 

 other proprietors, can be paid for the injury they may sustain ; but how 

 those living in the low lands, where the soil will be kept constant y satu- 

 rated with wat(?r, and who will have the Thames, or rather the washings ot 

 the sewers, in their cellars and parlours, can be compensated, it is difficult 

 to ima^inp. Sections of the Thames, between London and Blacklriars 

 bridi'fs, were in 1 im taken by order of the Trinity House. Similar sections 

 ought to be taken, extending, in the low lands adjoining, to a distance where 

 the level of five feet above the present hidi water of ordinary spring tides, 

 ruts the land as far up the river as the tide runs, before the bill for remov- 

 ing the dam of London bridge is introduced into Parliament. 



