CHAP. XL TELFORD'S ROADS. 443 



line of communication, there were the great bridges 

 over the Conway and the Menai Straits to be constructed. 

 These dangerous ferries had still to be crossed in open 

 boats, sometimes in the night, when the luggage and 

 mails were exposed to great risks, and passengers occa- 

 sionally lost with them. It was therefore determined, 

 after long consideration, to erect bridges over these 

 formidable straits, and Mr. Telford was employed to 

 execute the works, in what manner we propose to 

 describe in the succeeding chapter. 



