158 Mr. Towri's new mode of Bridge-building. 



Art. XXI. — Jl Description of Ithiel Town's Improve- 

 ment in the construction of Wood and Iron Bridges : in- 

 tended as a general system of Bridge-Building for rivers , 

 creeks, and harhors, of whatever kind of bottoms, for any 

 practicable width of span or opening, in every part of the 

 country. 



To establish a general mode of constructing wooden and 

 iron Bridges, and which mode of construction shall, at the 

 same time, be the most simple, permanent, and economical, 

 both in erecting and repairing, has been, for a long time, a 

 desideratum of great importance to a country so extensive, 

 and interspersed with so many wild and majestic rivers as 

 ours is. It has been too much the custom for architects and 

 builders to pile together materials, each according to his 

 own ideas of the scientific principles and practice of Bridge- 

 building, and the result has been, 1st. That nearly as many 

 modes of construction have been adopted as there have 

 been bridges built. 2d. That many have answered no pur- 

 pose at all,^and others but very poorly and for a short time, 

 while most of the best ones have cost a sum which deters 

 and puts it out of the power of probably five-sixths of those 

 interested in femes, to substitute bridges, which would ob- 

 viate the many dangers and delays incident to them. 



That architects and builders adhere to their own ideas in 

 the construction of not only bridges, but of buildings, is 

 almost universally true; they are obstinately opposed to the 

 adoption of any other mode than their own, consequently 

 it is as true, and it is seen to be so, throughout the country, 

 (and it is much to be regretted,) that in very few instances, 

 either in erecting bridges or buildings, there is any model 

 either uniform, or, in general, very good. But in bridges 

 and public buildings, it would seem, something better might 

 be expected, if men scientifically and practically acquaint- 

 ed with such subjects, would step forward, in a disinterest- 

 ed manner, and determine between principles which are 

 philosophical, and those which are not, and between modes 

 of execution which are founded in practice and experience, 

 and those which are founded in ignorance and inexperience j 

 and in matters of taste, if they would determine in favour 

 of classic and well estabhshed taste, and that which is the 



