478 REPORT—1899. 
The total weight of masonry used in the foundations is about 36,400 
tons for each abutment. 
The total weight of steel required for the erection of the bridge 
amounted to 5,400 tons. About 4,330 tons are included in the metallic 
frame of the bridge, 670 tons are incorporated in the foundations, and 
400 tons was used for the temporary rolling bridge. (Exactly 5,481, 
4,385, 730, 385 metric tons). 
Decoration of the Bridye.—\ have now completed the description of 
the engineering features of this bridge, but it is impossible to leave the 
subject of the erection of Alexander III. Bridge without saying some 
words about its decoration. 
It was decided, at the ouiset, that the entrances of the bridge should 
be fitted with ornaments of an architectural style, harmonising with the 
adjacent Palaces of Fine Arts. The design and the erection of these 
monumental pillars, as well as the preparation of the designs for the 
ornamental details of the bridge, were the special task of the architects. 
The work was entrusted to Messrs. Cassieu Bernard and Cousin, dis- 
tinguished architects, who sent in remarkable designs for the Exhibition, 
and were consequently selected for co-operating in an important part of it. 
The ornaments of the external ribs consist of a frieze fixed upon the 
curved webs of the ribs, and of a decorative portico which covers the rolled 
steel spandril uprights. This portico is fitted with garlands and masks, and 
it is crowned with a moulded cornice. The cornice itself is surmounted 
by a balustrade, which is the guard-rail of the bridge. Frieze, portico, 
garlands, masks, cornice, and balusters are made of cast iron. 
Directly above the pillars of the portico bronze lamp-posts are inserted 
in the balustrade, the upper part of which is of bronze. 
This ornamental system is completed by three great hammered copper 
cartouches hanging from the balustrade at the three articulation points. 
The central one is the most important, being supported by two female 
figures of about three times life-size. 
All the ornaments have been carefully designed, the decorative elements 
being chiefly studies from aquatic animals or plants. The best French 
sculptors were asked to co-operate in the designs of the monumental 
pillars at the entrances, and nothing has been spared to secure an excellent 
artistic effect. 
More than twenty engineers attended the preparatory meeting, at 
which the steel-makers undertook to try the use of cast steel as arranged 
by the authors of the design ; they afforded great help, the fruit of their 
wide experience, in fixing the most convenient shapes of the voussoirs. 
Messrs. Pillé and Daydé, assisted by M. Gilliard, designed and con- 
structed the caissons for Messrs. Letellier and Boutrinquieu, general 
contractors for the masonry works. 
M. Lautracq, chief engineer to the firm Fives of Lille, one of the con- 
tractors for the steel-work, and his assistants designed the somewhat 
complicated framework of the bridge. 
Messrs. Schmidt and Rochebois, engineers to Schneider & Co., the 
other contractor for the steel-work, specially designed the rolling bridge 
and carried out the operations for erecting the bridge with the help of 
their very clever chief erector, M. Camus. 
To these names I need only add the name of the firm Durenne, to 
whom the ornamental part of the cast iron was entrusted. 
I will finally mention our inspectors, Messrs. Boucher, Lavallez, 
