986 Traxsactioxs of the American Institute. 



about, as I understand, 125 feet ; that ele\'atioii beiug necessary to 

 allow ships ^ith masts to pass under it. 



For my part I think it is quite safe to predict that twenty years 

 hence there will be no more sailing of ships with masts, particularly 

 in civilized countries ; but that steam or some other equally etiicient 

 power will altogether have superceded the uncertain,- slow, and 

 capricious mode of locomotion on water by wind. Hence that great 

 elevation in that bridge will then be wholly unnecessary. 



But even were it probable that there will be sailing of ships with 

 high masts for ages to come, it is I'ational to say that the amount of 

 evil and inconvenience resulting from such a high structure will far 

 more than balance all the good it might do at all events, and the 

 reason is very obvious : 



Let us suppose, for example, that only 50,000 were to cross daily 

 over such a bridge ; then every one of these would be obliged to 

 ascend and descend 125 feet to and from the water line. And what 

 for ? we will ask. Simply to allow a few lazy ships with high masts 

 to crawl to and fro under the aerial structure. I think in this case we 

 should all agree with the memorable Dr. Benjamin Franklin, and come 

 to the conclusion that it would be paying too dear for the whistle. 



But without more preliminaries, as time is precious, there is in this 

 case a way of securing all the main advantages without meeting 

 counterbalancing evils ; that way it seems to me, and I am not the 

 only one of the same opinion, is simply this : 



Make a bridge of such a height as to allow oiily steamboats and 

 all manner of small crafts to pass to and Iro with perfect freedom 

 under it at all times. 



For the comparatively few vessels with high masts, plenty room 

 may be found in the ISTorth river, and other parts of jSTew York bay. 



Such a bridge as I M'ould propose would not cost one quarter as 

 much as a suspension bridge, with its numerous appendages, is 

 estimated at. 



Besides, it would be an ornament to both cities ; and it would be a 

 pleasure instead of a task to travel over such a bridge. Others may 

 elaborate, with more ability than I do, this part of the subject. 



The kind of bridges proposed by me need be only forty feet above 

 the water on the Xew York side, and as high as Brooklyn Heights on 

 the eastern termination. 



As to the bridire itself, and the mode of its construction, I Avill 

 submit my views briefly ; although I regret I have not a more com- 



