SCHUYLKILL PERMANENT BRIDGE. n 



Some proposed a low stone bridge; to be used only when 

 the river was in its ordinary state; and when raised by 

 floods, the torrent should run over the bridge. Thus 

 intermitting its use, when it was most required. Some 

 would have, with any bridge, arches, turned from hill 

 to hill, and thus occupy with impediments, the low 

 grounds, which now aftord additional passage to the 

 overflow of the stream. The expence too, would re- 

 quire the funds of a state ; and never could have been 

 accomplished by private advances, with any prospect of 

 profit. Any buildings, or other obstructions, placed on 

 these flats, will confine, and, of course, redouble, the 

 force of the current. They would cause the accumula* 

 tion of the ice, and damming of the stream; the most for- 

 midable foes the bridge has to contend with. Some had 

 proposed a bridge on chains, stretched across the river^ 

 and elevated by columns, of vast height, on its banks. 

 Adding to this visionary plan, some of its advocates 

 would have pillars, in the middle of the river, on a kind 

 of wharf, containing stone promiscuously thrown in. On 

 such an uncertain, shifting, and unstable foundation, 

 more modern projectors have contemplated erecting 

 wooden superstructures ; and are not yet persuaded of 

 their being dangerous and insecure. If such should 

 succeed in a river of tranquil current, and level bottom, 

 they are not calculated for one frequently impetuous m 

 the extreme ; in some parts of its bed, covered with 

 mud, in others uncommonly unequal and rocky. Still 

 more ineligible, in one, irregular in its depths ; which 

 suddenly vary, at small distances, so as to afford no en- 

 couragement to depend on any foundations, or supports 

 for abridge, but those of solid masonry; and this foun< 

 ded on the rock, which stretches acrofis its bottom. 



