CHAP. VII. COALBROOKDALE IROX BRIDGE. 



357 





THE FIRST IKON i.-UtlDGE, COALBROOKDALE. [By E. M Wimperis.] 



ever erected proved a very serviceable structure, and it 

 remains so to this day. 



It is a curious circumstance that the next contriver of 

 an iron bridge was no other than the same Tom Paine 

 whose political writings Telford had so much admired. 

 While residing in America, Paine had proposed to build a 

 bridge of this material 400 feet in span over the Schuvl- 

 kill, and he came to England to take out a patent for 

 his invention, 1 and to order a bridge after his plan, the 

 materials of which were manufactured at the Rother- 

 ham Iron-works. They were delivered in London, and 

 fitted together on a bowling-green at Paddington. But 

 the French Revolution breaking out, Paine hastened to 



Specification of Patents, No. 1667, A.D. 1788. 



