按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
the subject of the supply of water to the metropolis； in conjunction
with Dr。 Roget and Professor 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 stimulating the efforts of the water companies； and
eventually leading； to great improvements。
On the subject of roads； Telford continued to be the very highest
authority； his friend Southey jocularly styling him the 〃Colossus
of Roads。〃 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。
＇Image＇ Section of Polish Road
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 engineer； 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 are able to emancipate themselves and enter on the path of
truth。〃 But supposing a suspension bridge were not deemed advisable
under the circumstances； and it were considered necessary
altogether to avoid motion； 〃then；〃 said he； 〃I should recommend
you to erect a cast iron bridge of three spans； each 400 feet； such
a bridge will have no motion； and though half the world lay a
wreck； it would still stand。〃*＇3＇ A suspension bridge was
eventually resolved upon。 It was constructed by one of Mr。 Telford's
ablest pupils； Mr。 Tierney Clark； between the years 1839 and 1850；
and is justly regarded as one of the greatest triumphs of English
engineering； the Buda…Pesth people proudly declaring it to be 〃the
eighth wonder of the world。〃
At a time when speculation was very rifein the year 1825
Mr。 Telford was consulted respecting a grand scheme for cutting a
canal across the Isthmus of Darien； and about the same time he was
employed to resurvey the line for a ship canalwhich had before
occupied the attention of Whitworth and Renniebetween Bristol and
the English Channel。 But although he gave great attention to this
latter project； and prepared numerous plans and reports upon it；
and although an Act was actually passed enabling it to be carried
out； the scheme was eventually abandoned； like the preceding ones
with the same object； for want of the requisite funds。
Our engineer had a perfect detestation of speculative jobbing in
all its forms； though on one occasion he could not help being used
as an instrument by schemers。 A public company was got up at
Liverpool； in 1827； to form a broad and deep ship canal； of about
seven miles in length； from opposite Liverpool to near Helbre
Isle； in the estuary of the Dee； its object being to enable the
shipping of the port to avoid the variable shoals and sand…banks
which obstruct the entrance to the Mersey。 Mr。 Telford entered on
the project with great zeal； and his name was widely quoted in its
support。 It appeared； however； that one of its principal promoters；
who had secured the right of pre…emption of the land on which the
only possible entrance to the canal could be formed on the northern
side； suddenly closed with the corporation of Liverpool； who were
opposed to the plan； and 〃sold〃； his partners as well as the
engineer for a large sum of money。 Telford； disgusted at being made
the instrument of an apparent fraud upon the public； destroyed all
the documents relating to the scheme； and never afterwards spoke of
it except in terms of extreme indignation。
About the same time； the formation of locomotive railways was
extensively discussed； and schemes were set on foot to construct
them between several of the larger towns。 But Mr。 Telford was now
about seventy years old； and； desirous of limiting the range of his
business rather than extending it； he declined to enter upon this
new branch of engineering。 Yet； in his younger days； he had
surveyed numerous lines of railwayamongst others； one as early as
the year 1805； from Glasgow to Berwick； down the vale of the Tweed。
A line from Newcastle…on…Tyne to Carlisle was also surveyed and
reported on by him some years later； and the Stratford and Moreton
Railway was actually constructed under his direction。 He made use
of railways in all his large works of masonry； for the purpose of
facilitating the haulage of materials to the points at which they
were required to be deposited or used。 There is a paper of his on
the Inland Navigation of the County of Salop； contained in
'The Agricultural Survey of Shropshire；' in which he speaks of the
judicious use of railways； and recommends that in all future
surveys 〃it be an instruction to the engineers that they do examine
the county with a view of introducing iron railways wherever
difficulties may occur with regard to the making of navigable canals。〃
When the project of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway was started；
we are informed that he was offered the appointment of engineer；
but he declined； partly because of his advanced age； but also out
of a feeling of duty to his employers； the Canal Companies； stating
that he could not lend his name to a scheme which； if carried out；
must so materially affect their interests。
Towards the close of his life； he was afflicted by deafness； which
made him feel exceedingly uncomfortable in mixed society。 Thanks to
a healthy constitution； unimpaired by excess and invigorated by
active occupation； his working powers had lasted longer than those
of most men。 He was still cheerful； clear…headed； and skilful in
the arts of his profession； and felt the same pleasure in useful
work that he had ever done。 It was； therefore； with difficulty that
he could reconcile himself to the idea of retiring from the field
of honourable labour； which he had so long occupied； into a state
of comparative inactivity。 But he was not a man who could be idle；
and he determined； like his great predecessor Smeaton； to occupy
the remaining years of his life in arranging his engineering papers
for publication。 Vigorous though he had been； he felt that the time
was shortly approaching when the wheels of life must stand still
altogether。 Writing to a friend at Langholm； he said； 〃Having now
being occupied for about seventy…five years in incessant exertion；
I have for some time pa