476 FOREIGN ROADS AND BRIDGES. PART VIII. 



In 1828 he was appointed one of the commissioners 

 to investigate the subject of the supply of water to the 

 metropolis, in conjunction with Dr. Roget and Pro- 

 fessor Brande, and the result was the very able report- 

 published in that year. Only a few months before his 

 death, in 1834, he prepared and sent in an elaborate 

 separate report, containing many excellent practical 

 suggestions, which had the effect of strongly stimu- 

 lating the water companies, and eventually led to great 

 improvements. 



On the subject of roads he was the very highest 

 authority, his friend Southey jocularly styling him the 

 " Colossus of Roads " as well as " Pontifex Maximus." 

 The Russian Government frequently consulted him with 

 reference to the new roads with which that great empire 

 was being opened up. The Polish road from Warsaw 

 to Briesc on the Russian frontier, 120 miles in length, 

 was constructed after his plans, and it remains, we 

 believe, the finest road in the Russian dominions to 

 this day. 



SECTION OF POLISH EOAD. 



He was consulted by the Austrian Government on 

 the subject of bridges as well as roads. Count Szechenyi 

 recounts the very agreeable and instructive interview 

 which he had with Telford when he called to consult 

 him as to the bridge proposed to be erected across the 

 Danube, between the towns of Buda and Pesth. On a 

 suspension bridge being suggested by the English engi- 

 neer, the Count, with surprise, asked if such an erection 

 was possible under the circumstances he had described ? 

 " We do not consider anything to be impossible," replied 

 Telford ; " impossibilities exist chiefly in the prejudices of 

 mankind, to which some are slaves, and from which few 



