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the geometer； and refuses to submit to even the most approved
methods of investigation。 This holds good particularly of bridges；
where the principles of mechanics； aided by all the resources of
the higher geometry； have not yet gone further than to determine
the equilibrium of a set of smooth wedges acting on one another by
pressure only； and in such circumstances as； except in a
philosophical experiment； can hardly ever be realised。 It is；
therefore； from men educated in the school of daily practice and
experience； and who to a knowledge of general principles have
added； from the habits of their profession； a certain feeling of
the justness or insufficiency of any mechanical contrivance； that
the soundest opinions on a matter of this kind can be obtained。〃
It would appear that the Committee came to the general conclusion
that the construction of the proposed bridge was practicable and
safe； for the river was contracted to the requisite width； and the
preliminary works were actually begun。 Mr。 Stephenson says the
design was eventually abandoned； owing more immediately to the
difficulty of constructing the approaches with such a head way；
which would have involved the formation of extensive inclined
planes from the adjoining streets； and thereby led to serious
inconvenience； and the depreciation of much valuable property on
both sides of the river。*＇9＇ Telford's noble design of his great
iron bridge over the Thames； together with his proposed embankment
of the river； being thus definitely abandoned； he fell back upon
his ordinary business as an architect and engineer； in the course
of which he designed and erected several stone bridges of
considerable magnitude and importance。
In the spring of 1795； after a long continued fall of snow； a
sudden thaw raised a heavy flood in the Severn； which carried away
many bridgesamongst others one at Bewdley； in Worcestershire；
when Telford was called upon to supply a design for a new structure。
At the same time； he was required to furnish a plan for a new
bridge near the town of Bridgenorth； 〃in short；〃 he wrote to his
friend； 〃I have been at it night and day。〃 So uniform a success had
heretofore attended the execution of his designs； that his
reputation as a bridge…builder was universally acknowledged。
〃Last week；〃 he says； 〃Davidson and I struck the centre of an arch
of 76 feet span； and this is the third which has been thrown this
summer； none of which have shrunk a quarter of an inch。〃
Bewdley Bridge is a handsome and substantial piece of masonry。
The streets on either side of it being on low ground； land arches
were provided at both ends for the passage of the flood waters；
and as the Severn was navigable at the point crossed； it was
considered necessary to allow considerably greater width in the
river arches than had been the case in the former structure。
The arches were three in numberone of 60 feet span and two of 52
feet； the land arches being of 9 feet span。 The works were
proceeded with and the bridge was completed during the summer of
1798； Telford writing to his friend in December of that year
〃We have had a remarkably dry summer and autumn； after that an early
fall of snow and some frost； followed by rain。 The drought of the
summer was unfavourable to our canal working； but it has enabled us
to raise Bewdley Bridge as if by enchantment。 We have thus built a
magnificent bridge over the Severn in one season； which is no
contemptible work for John Simpson*＇10＇ and your humble servant；
amidst so many other great undertakings。 John Simpson is a
treasurea man of great talents and integrity。 I met with him
here by chance； employed and recommended him； and he has now under
his charge all the works of any magnitude in this great and rich
district。〃
＇Image＇ Bewdley Bridge。
Another of our engineer's early stone bridges； which may be
mentioned in this place； was erected by him in 1805； over the river
Dee at Tongueland in the county of Kirkcudbright。 It is a bold and
picturesque bridge； situated in a lovely locality。 The river is
very deep at high water there； the tide rising 20 feet。 As the
banks were steep and rocky； the engineer determined to bridge the
stream by a single arch of 112 feet span。 The rise being
considerable； high wingwalls and deep spandrels were requisite； but
the weight of the structure was much lightened by the expedient
which he adopted of perforating the wings； and building a number of
longitudinal walls in the spandrels； instead of filling them with
earth or inferior masonry； as had until then been the ordinary
practice。 The ends of these walls； connected and steadied by the
insertion of tee…stones； were built so as to abut against the back
of the arch…stones and the cross walls of each abutment。 Thus great
strength as well as lightness was secured； and a very graceful and
at the same time substantial bridge was provided for the
accommodation of the district。*＇11＇
＇Image＇ Tongueland Bridge。
In his letters written about this time； Telford seems to have been
very full of employment； which required him to travel about a great
deal。 〃I have become；〃 said he； 〃a very wandering being； and am
scarcely ever two days in one place； unless detained by business；
which； however； occupies my time very completely。〃 At another time
he says； 〃I am tossed about like a tennis ball： the other day I was
in London； since that I have been in Liverpool； and in a few days I
expect to be at Bristol。 Such is my life； and to tell you the
truth； I think it suits my disposition。〃
Another work on which Telford was engaged at this time was a
project for supplying the town of Liverpool with water conveyed
through pipes in the same manner as had long before been adopted in
London。 He was much struck by the activity and enterprise apparent
in Liverpool compared with Bristol。 〃Liverpool；〃 he said；
〃has taken firm root in the country by means of the canals〃
it is young； vigorous； and well situated。 Bristol is sinking in
commercial importance： its merchants are rich and indolent； and in
their projects they are always too late。 Besides； the place is
badly situated。 There will probably arise another port there
somewhat nearer the Severn； but Liverpool will nevertheless
continue of the first commercial importance； and their water will
be turned into wine。 We are making rapid progress in this country
I mean from Liverpool to Bristol； and from Wales to Birmingham。
This is an extensive and rich district； abounding in coal； lime；
iron； and lead。 Agriculture too is improving； and manufactures
are advancing at rapid strides towards perfection。 Think of such a
mass of population； industrious； intelligent； and energetic； in
continual exertion！ In short； I do not believe that any part of the
world； of like dimensions； ever exceeded Great Britain； as it now
is； in regard to the production of wealth and the practice of the
useful arts。