Centre arch--span, 150 feet; rise, 32 feet; piers, 24 feet.
Arches next the centre arch--span, 140 feet; rise, 30 feet; piers 22
feet.
Abutment arches--span, 130 feet; rise, 25 feet; abutment, 74 feet.
Total width, from water-side to water-side, 690 feet.
Length of the bridge, including the abutments, 950 feet; without the
abutments, 782 feet.
Width of the bridge, from outside to outside of the parapets, 55 feet;
carriage-way, 33 feet 4 inches.
* * * * *
“Go and set London-bridge on fire,” said Jack Cade, at least so
Shakspeare makes him say, to “the rest” of the insurgents, who, in the
reign of Henry VI., came out of Kent, took the city itself, and there
raised a standard of revolt against the royal authority. “Sooner said
than done, master Cade,” may have been the answer; and now, when we are
about to erect a new one, let us “remember the bridge that has carried
safe over.” Though its feet were manifold as a centipede’s, and though,
in gliding between its legs, as it
“doth bestride the Thames,”
some have, ever and anon, passed to the bottom, and craft of men, and
craft with goods, so perished, yet the health and wealth of ourselves,
and those from whom we sprung, have been increased by safe and
uninterrupted intercourse above.
* * * * *
By admission to the entire ceremony of laying the first stone of the new
London-bridge, the editor of the _Every-Day Book_ is enabled to give an
authentic account of the proceedings from his own close observation; and
therefore, collating the narratives in every public journal of the
following day, by his own notes, he relates the ceremonial he witnessed,
from a chosen situation within the coffer-dam.
* * * * *
At an early hour of the morning the vicinity of the new and old bridges
presented an appearance of activity, bustle, and preparation; and every
spot that could command even a bird’s-eye view of the scene, was eagerly
and early occupied by persons desirous of becoming spectators of the
intended spectacle, which, it was confidently expected, would be
extremely magnificent and striking; these anticipations were in no way
disappointed.
So early as twelve o’clock, the avenues leading to the old bridge were
filled with individuals, anxious to behold the approaching ceremony, and
shortly afterwards the various houses, which form the streets through
which the procession was to pass, had their windows graced with
numerous parties of well-dressed people. St. Magnus’ on the bridge, St.
Saviour’s church in the Borough, Fishmongers’-hall, and the different
warehouses in the vicinity, had their roofs covered with spectators;
platforms were erected in every nook from whence a sight could be
obtained, and several individuals took their seats on the Monument, to
catch a bird’s-eye view of the whole proceedings. The buildings, public
or private, that at all overlooked the scene, were literally roofed and
walled with human figures, clinging to them in all sorts of possible and
improbable attitudes. Happy were they who could purchase seats, at from
half a crown to fifteen shillings each, for so the charge varied,
according to the degree of accommodation afforded. As the day advanced,
the multitude increased in the street; the windows of the shops were
closed, or otherwise secured, and those of the upper floors became
occupied with such of the youth and beauty of the city as has not
already repaired to the river: and delightfully occupied they were: and
were the sun down, as it was not, it had scarcely been missed--for
there--
“From every casement came the light,
Of women’s eyes, so soft and bright,
Peeping between the trelliced bars,
A nearer, dearer heaven of stars!”
The wharfs on the banks of the river, between London-bridge and
Southwark-bridge, were occupied by an immense multitude.
Southwark-bridge itself was clustered over like a bee-hive; and the
river from thence to London-bridge presented the appearance of an
immense dock covered with vessels of various descriptions; or, perhaps,
it more closely resembled a vast country fair, so completely was the
water concealed by multitudes of boats and barges, and the latter again
hidden by thousands of spectators, and canvass awnings, which, with the
gay holiday company within, made them not unlike booths and tents, and
contributed to strengthen the fanciful similitude. The tops of the
houses had many of them also their flags and awnings; and, from the
appearance of them and the river, one might almost suppose the dry and
level ground altogether deserted, for this aquatic fete, worthy of
Venice at her best of times. All the vessels in the pool hoisted their
flags top-mast-high, in honour of the occasion, and many of them sent
out their boats manned, to increase the bustle and interest of the
scene.
At eleven o’clock London-bridge was wholly closed, and at the same hour
Southwark-bridge was thrown open, free of toll. At each end of
London-bridge barriers were formed, and no persons were allowed to pass,
unless provided with tickets, and these only were used for the purpose
of arriving at the coffer-dam. There was a feeling of awful solemnity at
the appearance of this, the greatest thoroughfare of the metropolis, now
completely vacated of all its foot-passengers and noisy vehicles.
* * * * *
At one o’clock the lord mayor and sheriffs arrived at Guildhall, the
persons engaged in the procession having met at a much earlier hour.
The lady mayoress and a select party went to the coffer-dam in the lord
mayor’s private state carriage, and arrived at the bridge about
half-past two o’clock.
The Royal Artillery Company arrived in the court-yard of the Guildhall
at two o’clock.
The carriages of the members of parliament and other gentlemen, forming
part of the procession, mustered in Queen-street and the Old Jewry.
* * * * *
At twelve o’clock, the barrier at the foot of the bridge on the city
side of the river was thrown open, and the company, who were provided
with tickets for the coffer-dam, were admitted within it, and kept
arriving till two o’clock in quick succession. At that time the barriers
were again closed, and no person was admitted till the arrival of the
chief procession. By one o’clock, however, most of the seats within the
coffer-dam were occupied, with the exception of those reserved for the
persons connected with the procession.
The tickets of admission issued by the committee, consisting of members
of the court of common council, were in great request. By their number
being judiciously limited, and by other arrangements, there was ample
accommodation for all the company. At the bottom of each ticket, there
was a notice to signify that the hours of admission were between twelve
and two, and not a few of the fortunate holders were extremely punctual
in attending at the first mentioned hour, for the purpose of securing
the best places. They were admitted at either end of the bridge, and
passed on till they came to an opening that had been made in the
balustrade, leading to the platform that surrounded the area of the
proposed ceremony. This was the coffer-dam formed in the bed of the
river, for the building of the first pier, at the Southwark side. The
greatest care had been taken to render the dam water-tight, and during
the whole of the day, from twelve till six, it was scarcely found
necessary to work the steam-engine a single stroke. On passing the
aperture in the balustrade, already mentioned, the company immediately
arrived on a most extensive platform, from which two staircases
divided--the one for the _pink_ tickets, which introduced the possessor
to the lowest stage of the works, and the other for the white ones, of
less privilege, and which were therefore more numerous. The interior of
the works was highly creditable to the committee. Not only were the
timbers, whether horizontal or upright, of immense thickness, but they
were so securely and judiciously bolted and pinned together, that the
liability of any danger or accident was entirely done away with. The
very awning which covered the whole coffer-dam, to ensure protection
from the sun or rain, had there been any, was raised on a little forest
of scaffolding poles, which, any where but by the side of the huge
blocks of timber introduced immediately beneath, would have appeared of
an unusual stability. In fact, the whole was arranged as securely and as
comfortably as though it had been intended to serve the time of all the
lord mayors for the next century to come, while on the outside, in the
river, every necessary precaution was taken to keep off boats, by
stationing officers there for that purpose. With the exception of the
lower floor, which, as already mentioned, was only attainable by the
possession of pink tickets, and a small portion of the floor next above
it, the whole was thrown open without reservation, and the visitors took
possession of the unoccupied places they liked best.
The entire coffer-dam was ornamented with as much taste and beauty as
the purposes for which it was intended would possibly admit. The
entrance to the platform from the bridge, was fitted up with crimson
drapery, tastefully festooned. The coffer-dam itself was divided into
four tiers of galleries, along which several rows of benches, covered
with scarlet cloth, were arranged for the benefit of the spectators. It
was covered with canvass to keep out the rays of the sun, and from the
transverse beams erected to support it, which were decked with rosettes
of different colours, were suspended flags and ensigns of various
descriptions brought from Woolwich yard; which by the constant motion in
which they were kept, created a current of air, which was very
refreshing. The floor of the dam, which is 45 feet below the high water
mark, was covered, like the galleries, with scarlet cloth, except in
that part of it where the first stone was to be laid. The floor is 95
feet in length, and 36 in breadth; is formed of beech planks, four
inches in thickness, and rests upon a mass of piles, which are shod at
the top with iron, and are crossed by immense beams of solid timber. By
two o’clock all the galleries were completely filled with well-dressed
company, and an eager impatience for the arrival of the procession was
visible in every countenance. The bands of the Horse Guards, red and
blue, and also that of the Artillery Company, played different tunes, to
render the interval of expectation as little tedious as possible; but,
in spite of all their endeavours, a feeling of listlessness appeared to
pervade the spectators.--In the mean time the arrangements at Guildhall
being completed, the procession moved from the court-yard, in the
following order:--
A body of the Artillery Company.
Band of Music.
Marshalmen.
Mr. Cope, the City Marshal, mounted, and in the full uniform of his
Office.
The private carriage of -- Saunders, Esq., the Water Bailiff,
containing the Water-Bailiff, and Nelson, his Assistant.
Carriage containing the Barge-masters.
City Watermen bearing Colours.
A party of City Watermen without Colours.
Carriage containing Messrs. Lewis and Gillman, the Bridge-masters, and
the Clerk of the Bridge-house Estate.
Another party of the City Watermen.
Carriage containing Messrs. Jolliffe and Sir E. Banks,
the Contractors for the Building of the New Bridge.
Model of the New Bridge.
Carriages containing Members of the Royal Society.
Carriage containing John Holmes, Esq., the Bailiff of Southwark.
Carriage containing the Under-Sheriffs.
Carriages containing Thomas Shelton, Esq., Clerk of the Peace for the
City of London; W. L. Newman, Esq., the City Solicitor; Timothy
Tyrrell, Esq., the Remembrancer; Samuel Collingridge, Esq., and
P. W. Crowther, Esq., the Secondaries; J. Boudon, Esq., Clerk of
the Chamber; W. Bolland, Esq., and George Bernard, Esq., the
Common Pleaders; Henry Woodthorpe, Esq., the Town Clerk; Thomas
Denman, Esq., the Common Sergeant; R. Clarke, Esq., the
Chamberlain.
These Carriages were followed by those of several Members of
Parliament.
Carriages of Members of the Privy Council.
Band of Music and Colours, supported by City Watermen.
Members of the Goldsmiths’ (the Lord Mayor’s) Company.
Marshalmen.
Lord Mayor’s Servants in their State Liveries.
Mr. Brown, the City Marshal, mounted on horseback, and in the full
uniform of his Office.
The Lord Mayor’s State Carriage, drawn by six bay horses, beautifully
caparisoned, in which were his Lordship and the Duke of York.
The Sheriffs, in their State Carriages.
Carriages of several Aldermen who have passed the Chair.
Another body of the Royal Artillery Company.
The procession moved up Cornhill and down Gracechurch-street, to
London-bridge. While awaiting the arrival of the procession, wishes were
wafted from many a fair lip, that the lord of the day, as well as of the
city, would make his appearance. Small-talk had been exhausted, and the
merits of each particular timber canvassed for the hundredth time, when,
at about a quarter to three, the lady mayoress made her appearance, and
renovated the hopes of the company. They argued that his lordship as a
family man, would not be long absent from his lady. The clock tolled
three, and no lord mayor had made his appearance. At this critical
juncture a small gun made its report; but, except the noise and smoke,
it produced nothing. More than an hour elapsed before the eventful
moment arrived; a flourish of trumpets in the distance gave hope to many
hearts, and finally two six-pounders of the Artillery Company,
discharged from the wharf at Old Swan Stairs, at about a quarter-past
four o’clock, announced the arrival of the cavalcade. Every one stood
up, and in a very few minutes the city watermen, bearing their colours
flying, made their appearance at the head of the coffer-dam, and would,
if they could, have done the same thing at the bottom of it; but owing
to the unaccommodating narrowness of the staircase, they found it
inconvenient to convey their flags by the same route that they intended
to convey themselves. Necessity, however, has long been celebrated as
the mother of invention, and a plan was hit upon to wind the flags over
this timber and under that, till after a very serpentine proceeding,
they arrived in safety at the bottom. After this had been accomplished,
there was a sort of pause, and every body seemed to be thinking of what
would come next, when some one in authority hinted, that as the descent
of the flags had been performed so dexterously, or for some other reason
that did not express itself, they might as easily be conveyed back, so
that the company, whose patience, by the bye, was exemplary, were
gratified by the ceremony of those poles returning, till the arrival of
the expected personages, satisfied every desire. A sweeping train of
aldermen were seen winding in their scarlet robes through the mazes of
the pink-ticketted staircase, and in a very few minutes a great portion
of these dignified elders of the city made their appearance on the floor
below, the band above having previously struck up the “Hunter’s Chorus”
from _Der Freischütz_. Next in order entered a strong body of the
common-councilmen, who had gone to meet the procession on its arrival at
the barriers. Independently of those that made their appearance on the
lower platform, glimpses of their purple robes with fur-trimmings, were
to be caught on every stage of the scaffolding, where many of them had
been stationed throughout the day. After these entered the recorder, the
common sergeant, the city solicitor, the city clerk, the city
chamberlain, and a thousand other city officers, “all gracious in the
city’s eyes.” These were followed by the duke of York and the lord
mayor, advancing together, the duke being on his lordship’s right hand.
His royal highness was dressed in a plain blue coat with star, and wore
at his knee the garter. They were received with great cheering, and
proceeded immediately up the floor of the platform, till they arrived
opposite the place where the first stone was suspended by a tackle,
ready to be swung into the place that it is destined to occupy for
centuries. Opposite the stone, an elbowed seat had been introduced into
the line of bench, so as to afford a marked place for the chief
magistrate, without breaking in upon the direct course of the seats. His
lordship, who was in his full robes, offered the chair to his royal
highness, which was positively declined on his part. The lord mayor
therefore seated himself, and was supported on the right by his royal
highness, and on the left by Mr. Alderman Wood. The lady mayoress, with
her daughters in elegant dresses, sat near his lordship, accompanied by
two fine-looking intelligent boys, her sons; near them were the two
lovely daughters of lord Suffolk, and many other fashionable and
elegantly dressed ladies. In the train which arrived with the lord mayor
and his royal highness were the earl of Darnley, lord J. Stewart, the
right hon. C. W. Wynn, M. P., sir G. Warrender, M. P., sir I. Coffin, M.
P., sir G. Cockburn, M.P., sir R. Wilson, M.P., Mr. T. Wilson, M.P.,
Mr. W. Williams, M.P., Mr. Davies Gilbert, M.P., Mr. W. Smith, M.P., Mr.
Holme Sumner, M.P., with several other persons of distinction, and the
common sergeant, the city pleaders, and other city officers.
The lord mayor took his station by the side of the stone, attended by
four gentlemen of the committee, bearing, one, the glasscut bottle to
contain the coins of the present reign, another, an English inscription
incrusted in glass, another, the mallet, and another, the level.
The sub-chairman of the committee, bearing the golden trowel, took his
station on the side of the stone opposite the lord mayor.
The engineer, John Rennie, esq., took his place on another side of the
stone, and exhibited to the lord mayor the plans and drawings of the
bridge.
The members of the committee of management, presented to the lord mayor
the cut glass bottle which was intended to contain the several coins.
The ceremony commenced by the children belonging to the wards’ schools,
Candlewick, Bridge, and Dowgate, singing “God save the King.” They were
stationed in the highest eastern gallery for that purpose; the effect
produced by their voices, stealing through the windings caused by the
intervening timbers to the depth below, was very striking and peculiar.
The chamberlain delivered to his lordship the several pieces of coin:
his lordship put them into the bottle, and deposited the bottle in the
place whereon the foundation stone was to be laid.
The members of the committee, bearing the English inscription incrusted
on glasses, presented it to the lord mayor. His lordship deposited it in
the subjacent stone.
Mr. Jones, sub-chairman of the Bridge Committee, who attended in purple
gowns and with staves, presented the lord mayor, on behalf of the
committee, with an elegant silver-gilt trowel, embossed with the
combined arms of the “Bridge House Estate and the City of London,” and
bearing on the reverse an inscription of the date, and design of its
presentation to the right hon. the lord mayor, who was born in the ward,
and is a member of the guild wherein the new bridge is situated. This
trowel was designed by Mr. John Green, of Ludgate-hill, and executed by
Messrs. Green, Ward, and Green, in which firm he is partner. Mr. Jones,
on presenting it to the lord mayor, thus addressed his lordship: “My
lord, I have the honour to inform you, that the committee of management
has appointed your lordship, in your character of lord mayor of London,
to lay the first stone of the new London-bridge, and that they have
directed me to present to your lordship this trowel as a means of
assistance to your lordship in accomplishing that object.”
The lord mayor having signified his consent to perform the ceremony,
Henry Woodthorpe, esq., the town clerk, who has lately obtained the
degree of L. L. D., held the copper plate about to be placed beneath the
stone with the following inscription upon it, composed by Dr.
Coplestone, master of Oriel-college, Oxford:--
Pontis vetvsti
qvvm propter crebras nimis interiectas moles
impedito cvrsv flvminis
navicvlae et rates
non levi saepe iactvra et vitae pericvlo
per angvstas favces
praecipiti aqvarvm impetv ferri solerent
Civitas Londinensis
his incommodis remidivm adhibere volens
et celeberrimi simvl in terris emporii
vtilitatibvs consvlens
regni insvper senatvs avctoritate
ac mvnificentia adivta
pontem
sitv prorsvs novo
amplioribvs spatiis constrvendvm decrev
ea scilicet forma ac magnitvdine
qvae regiae vrbis maiestati
tandem responderet.
Neqve alio magis tempore
tantum opvs inchoandvm dvxit
qvam cvm pacato ferme toto terrarvm orbe
Imperivm Britannicvm
fama opibus mvltitvdine civivm et concordia pollens
principe
item gavderet
artivm favtore ac patrono
cvivs svb avspiciis
novva indies aedificiorvm splendor vrbi accederet.
* * * * *
Primum operis lapidem
posvit
Ioannes Garratt armiger
praetor
xv. die Ivnii
anno regis Georgii Quarti sexto
a. s. m.d.ccc.xxv.
* * * * *
Ioanne Rennie F. R. S. architecto.
~Translation.~
The free course of the river
being obstructed by the numerous piers
of the ancient bridge,
and the passage of boats and vessels
through its narrow channels
being often attended with danger and loss of life
by reason of the force and rapidity of the current,
the City of London,
desirous of providing a remedy for this evil,
and at the same time consulting
the convenience of commerce
in this vast emporium of all nations,
under the sanction and with the liberal aid of
parliament,
resolved to erect a bridge
upon a foundation altogether new,
with arches of wider span,
and of a character corresponding
to the dignity and importance
of this royal city:
nor does any other time seem to be more suitable
for such an undertaking
than when in a period of universal peace
the British empire,
flourishing in glory, wealth, population, and
domestic union,
is governed by a prince,
the patron and encourager of the arts,
under whose auspices
the metropolis has been daily advancing in
elegance and splendour.
* * * * *
The first stone of this work
was laid
by John Garratt, esquire,
lord mayor,
on the 15th day of June,
in the sixth year of king George the Fourth,
and in the year of our Lord
m.d.ccc.xxv.
* * * * *
John Rennie, F. R. S. architect.
* * * * *
Dr. Woodthorpe read the Latin inscription aloud, and the lord mayor,
turning to the duke of York, addressed his royal highness and the rest
of the company.
_Lord Mayor’s Speech._
“It is unnecessary for me to say much upon the purpose for which we are
assembled this day, for its importance to this great commercial city
must be evident; but I cannot refrain from offering a few observations,
feeling as I do more than ordinary interest in the accomplishment of the
undertaking, of which this day’s ceremony is the primary step. I should
not consider the present a favourable moment to enter into the
chronology or detailed history of the present venerable structure, which
is now, from the increased commerce of the country, and the rapid
strides made by the sciences in this kingdom, found inadequate to its
purposes, but would rather advert to the great advantages which will
necessarily result from the execution of this national work. Whether
there be taken into consideration, the rapid and consequently dangerous
currents arising from the obstructions occasioned by the defects of this
ancient edifice, which have proved destructive to human life and to
property, or its difficult and incommodious approaches and acclivity, it
must be a matter of sincere congratulation that we are living in times
when the resources of this highly favoured country are competent to a
work of such great public utility. If ever there was a period more
suitable than another for embarking in national improvements, it must
be the present, governed as we are by a sovereign, patron of the arts,
under whose mild and paternal sway (by the blessing of divine
providence) we now enjoy profound peace; living under a government by
whose enlightened and liberal policy our trade and manufactures are in a
flourishing state; represented by a parliament whose acts of munificence
shed a lustre upon their proceedings: thus happily situated, it is
impossible not to hail such advantages with other feelings than those of
gratitude and delight. I cannot conclude these remarks without
acknowledging how highly complimentary I feel it to the honourable
office I now fill, to view such an auditory as surrounds me, among whom
are his majesty’s ministers, several distinguished nobles of the land,
the magistrates and commonalty of this ancient and loyal city, and above
all, (that which must ever enlighten and give splendour to any scene,) a
brilliant assembly of the other sex, all of whom, I feel assured, will
concur with me in expressing an earnest wish that the new London-bridge,
when completed, may reflect credit upon the architects, prove an
ornament to the metropolis, and redound to the honour of its
corporation. I offer up a sincere and fervent prayer, that in executing
this great work, there may occur no calamity; that in performing that
which is most particularly intended as a prevention of future danger, no
mischief may occur with the general admiration of the undertaking.”
The lord mayor’s address was received with cheers. His lordship then
spread the mortar, and the stone was gradually lowered by two men at a
windlass. When finally adjusted, the lord mayor struck it on the surface
several times with a long-handled mallet, and proceeded to ascertain the
accuracy of its position, by placing a level on the top of the east end,
and then to the north, west, and south; his lordship passing to each
side of the stone for that purpose, and in that order. The city sword
and mace were then placed on it crossways; the foundation of the new
London-bridge was declared to be laid; the music struck up “God save the
King;” and three times three excessive cheers, broke forth from the
company; the guns of the honourable Artillery Company, on the Old Swan
Wharf, fired a salute by signal, and every face wore smiles of
gratulation. Three cheers were afterwards given for the duke of York;
three for Old England; and three for the architect, Mr. Rennie.
It was observed in the coffer-dam, as a remarkable circumstance, that as
the day advanced, a splendid sunbeam, which had penetrated through an
accidental space in the awning above, gradually approached towards the
stone as the hour for laying it advanced, and during the ceremony, shone
upon it with dazzling lustre.
* * * * *
At the conclusion of the proceedings, the lord mayor, with the duke of
York, and the other visitors admitted to the floor of the coffer-dam,
retired; after which, many of the company in the galleries came down to
view the stone, and several of the younger ones were allowed to ascend
and walk over it. Some ladies were handed up, and all who were so
indulged, departed with the satisfaction of being enabled to relate an
achievement honourable to their feelings.
* * * * *
Among the candidates for a place upon the stone, was a gentleman who had
witnessed the scene with great interest, and seemed to wait with
considerable anxiety for an opportunity of joining in the pleasure of
its transient occupants. This gentleman was P. T. W., by which initials
he is known to the readers of the _Morning Herald_, and other journals.
The lightness and agility of his person, favoured the enthusiasm of his
purpose; he leapt on the stone, and there
------toeing it and heeling it,
With ball-room grace, and merry face,
Kept livelily quadrilling it,
till three cheers from the spectators announced their participation in
his merriment; he then tripped off with a graceful bow, amidst the
clapping of hands and other testimonials of satisfaction at a
performance wholly singular, because unprecedented, unimitated, and
inimitable.
* * * * *
The lord mayor gave a grand dinner in the Egyptian-hall, at the
Mansion-house, to 376 guests; the duke of York, being engaged to dine
with the king, could not attend. The present lord mayor has won his way
to the hearts of good livers, by his entertainments, and the court of
common council commenced its proceedings on the following day by
honourable mention of him for this entertainment especially, and
complacently received a notice to do him further honour for the general
festivity of his mayoralty.
* * * * *
His lordship’s name is Garratt; he is a tea-dealer. Stow mentions that
one of similar name, and a grocer, was commemorated by an epitaph in our
lady’s chapel, in the church of St. Saviour’s, Southwark; which church
the first pier of the proposed bridge adjoins. He says,
_Upon a faire stone under the Grocers’ arms, is this inscription_:--
_Garret_ some cal’d him, but that was too hye,
His name is _Garrard_, who now here doth lye;
Weepe not for him since he is gone before
To heaven, where _Grocers_ there are many more.[168]
* * * * *
It is supposed that the first bridge of London was built between the
years 993 and 1016; it was of wood. There is a vulgar tradition, that
the foundation of the old stone bridge was laid upon wool-packs: this
report is imagined to have arisen from a tax laid upon wool towards its
construction. The first stone-bridge began in 1176, and finished in
1209, was much injured by a fire in the Borough, in 1212, and three
thousand people perished. On St. George’s day, 1395, there was a great
justing upon it, between David, earl of Crawford, of Scotland, and lord
Wells of England. It had a drawbridge for the passage of ships with
provisions to Queenhithe, with houses upon it, mostly tenanted by pin
and needle-makers: there was a chapel on the bridge, and a tower,
whereon the heads of unfortunate partisans were placed: an old map of
the city, in 1597, represents a terrible cluster; in 1598, Hentzner the
German traveller, counted above thirty poles with heads. Upon this
bridge was placed the head of the great chancellor, sir Thomas More,
which was blown off the pole into the Thames and found by a waterman,
who gave it to his daughter; she kept it during life as a relic, and
directed at her death it should be placed in her arms and buried with
her.
Howel, the author of “Londinopolis,” in a paraphrase of some lines by
Sannazarius, has this--
_Encomium on London-bridge._
When Neptune from his billows London spy’d,
Brought proudly thither by a high spring-tide,
As thro’ a floating wood he steer’d along.
And dancing castles cluster’d in a throng;
When he beheld a mighty bridge give law
Unto his surges, and their fury awe;
When such a shelf of cataracts did roar,
As if the Thames with Nile had chang’d her shore;
When he such massy walls, such towers did eye,
Such posts, such irons, upon his back to lye;
When such vast arches he observ’d, that might
Nineteen Rialtos make for depth and height;
When the Cerulean god these things survey’d,
He shook his trident, and, astonish’d, said,
“Let the whole earth now all the wonders count,
This bridge of wonders is the paramount.”
Thus has commenced, under the most favourable auspices, a structure
which is calculated to secure from danger the domestic commerce of the
port of London. That such a work has not long since been executed, is
attributable more to the financial difficulties under which the
corporation of London has been labouring for the last quarter of a
century, than to any doubts of its being either expedient or necessary.
A similar design to that which is now in course of execution, was in
contemplation more than thirty years ago; and we believe that many of
the first architects of the day sent in plans for the removal of the old
bridge, and the construction of a new bridge in its place. A want of
funds to complete such an undertaking compelled the projectors of it, to
abandon it for a time; but the improved condition of the finances of the
corporation, the increasing commerce of the city of London with the
internal parts of the country, the growing prosperity of the nation at
large, and we may also add, a more general conviction derived from
longer experience, that the present bridge was a nuisance which deserved
to be abated, induced them to resume it, and to resume it with a zeal
proportionate to the magnitude of the object which they had in view.
Application was made to parliament for the grant of a sum of money to a
purpose which, when considered with regard either to local or to
national interests, was of great importance. That application was met
with a spirit of liberality which conferred as much honour upon the
party who received, as upon the party who gave, the bounty. The first
results of it were beheld in the operations of _to-day_; the further
results are in the bosom of time; but from the spirit with which the
work has been commenced, we have no doubt but they will tend no less to
the benefit, than the glory, of the citizens of London.[169]
There is something peculiarly imposing and impressive in ceremonies of
this description, as they are usually conducted, and we certainly do not
recollect any previous spectacle of a similar nature, which can be said
to have surpassed in general interest, grandeur of purpose, or splendid
effect, than that just recorded.
It is at all times agreeable to a philosophical mind, and an
understanding which busies itself, not only with the surface and present
state of things, but also with their substance and remote tendencies, to
contemplate the exercise of human power, and the triumphs of human
ingenuity, whether developed in physical or mental efforts, in the
pursuit of objects which comprehend a mixture of both. And perhaps, it
is in a good degree attributable to this secret impulse of our nature,
which operates in some degree upon all, however silent and imperceptible
in its operation, that the mass of mankind are accustomed to take such
an eager interest in ceremonials like the present. It is true, that
show, and preparation, and bustle, and the excitement consequent upon
these, are the immediate and apparent motives; but it does not therefore
follow that the other reasons are inefficient, or that because they are
less prominent and apparent, they are therefore inoperative. The
erection of a bridge, without reference to the immediate object or the
extent of its design, is _per se_ a triumph of art over nature--a
conquering of one of these obstacles, which the latter, even in her most
bountiful and propitious designs, delights to present to man, as if for
the purpose of calling his powers into exercise, and affording him the
quantity of excitement necessary to the happiness of a sentient being.
But if we do not entertain these sentiments, and give them utterance in
so many words, we nevertheless feel and act upon them. We delight to
attend spectacles like the present, where the first germ of a stupendous
work is to be prepared. We look round on the complicated apparatus, and
the seemingly discordant and unorganized beams and blocks of wood and
granite, and then we think of the simple structure, the harmonious and
complete whole to which these confused elements will give birth. Such a
structure is pregnant with a multitude of almost indefinable thoughts
and anticipations. We bethink ourselves of the stream of human life,
which, some five years hence, will flow over the new London-bridge as
thickly, and almost with as little cessation, as the waters of the
Thames below: and then we reflect upon the tide of hopes and fears which
that human stream will carry in its bosom! One of our first reflections
will necessarily be of its adaptation to trade and commerce, of which it
will then constitute a new and immense conduit. Trade, and science, and
learning, and war, (Providence long avert it!) will at various periods
pass across it. Next we consider what will be the immediate and
individual destiny of the structure:--is it to moulder away after the
lapse of many ages, under the slow but effectual influence of time, or
to suffer dilapidation suddenly from the operation of some natural
convulsion? Will it fall before the wrath or wilfulness of man, or is it
to be displaced by new improvements and discoveries, in like manner as
its old and many-arched neighbour makes way for it--and as _that_ once
superseded its narrower and shop-covered predecessor? These are
questions which the imaginative man may ask himself; but who is to
answer? However, even the man of business may be well excused in
indulging some speculations such as these, upon the occasion of the
erection of a structure, which is to constitute a new artery to and fro
in the mighty heart of London--a fresh vein through which that
commerce, which is the life-blood of our national prosperity and
greatness will have to flow.[170]
* * * * *
This is one of those public occurrences which may be considered as an
event in a man’s life, and an epoch in the city’s history--a sort of
station in one’s worldly journey, from which we measure our distances
and dates. To witness the manner and the moment, in which is laid the
first single resting stone of a grand national structure--the very
origin of the existence of a massive and magnificent pile, which will
require years to complete, and ages to destroy, has an elevating and
sublime effect on the mind.
Great public works are the truest signs of a nation’s prosperity and
power; originally its grandest ornaments, and ultimately the strongest
proofs of its existence. Its religion, language, arts, sciences,
government, and history, may be swept into nothingness; but yet its
national buildings will remain entire through the lapse of successive
ages--after their very founders are forgotten--after their local history
has become a mere matter of conjecture. The columns of Palmyra stand
over the ashes of their framers, in a desert as well of history as of
sand. The palaces of imperial Rome are still existing, though her
religion, her very language, is dead; and the history of the man-wrought
miracles of Egypt, had been looked at but as the very dreamings of
philosophy long before Napoleon said to his Egyptian army--“From the
summits of these pyramids, forty centuries are looking down upon you.”
Of all public edifices, a bridge is the most necessary, the most
generally and frequently useful--open at all hours and to all persons.
It was probably the very first public building. Some conjecture, that
the first hint of it was taken from an uprooted tree lying across a
narrow current. What a difference between that first natural bridge, and
the perfection of pontifical architecture--the vast, solid, and splendid
Waterloo--the _monumentum si quæras_ of John Rennie. We feel pleasure in
learning, that the new London-bridge has been designed by the same
distinguished architect. It falls to the lot of the son to consummate
the plans of the father--we hope with equal success, and with similar
benefits, as well to the conductor as to the public.
Old London-bridge, for which the new one is intended as a more
commodious substitute, was the first that connected the Surrey and
Middlesex banks. It was built originally of wood, about 800 years ago,
and rebuilt of stone in the reign of king John, 1209, just two years
after the chief civic officer assumed the name of mayor. Until the
middle of the last century, it was crowded with houses, which made it
very inconvenient to the passengers. The narrowness and inequality of
its arches, have caused it to be compared to “a thick wall, pierced with
small uneven holes, through which the water, dammed up by this clumsy
fabric, rushes, or rather leaps, with a velocity extremely dangerous to
boats and barges.” Of its nineteen arches, none except the centre, which
was formed by throwing two into one, is more than twenty feet wide. This
is but the width of each of the piers of Waterloo-bridge. It is the most
crowded thoroughfare in London, and, in this point, exceeds
Charing-cross, which, according to Dr. Johnson, was overflowed by the
full tide of human existence. It has been calculated, that there daily
pass over London-bridge 90,000 foot passengers; 800 waggons; 300 carts
and drays; 1,300 coaches; 500 gigs and tax carts; and 800 saddle horses.
The importance of this great point of communication, and the necessity
of rendering it adequate to the purposes of its construction, are
proved, by the numbers to whom it affords a daily passage at present,
and, still more, by the probable increase of the numbers hereafter. The
present bridge having been for some years considered destitute of the
proper facilities of transition for passengers as well as for vessels,
an Act of Parliament, passed in 1823, for building a new one, on a scale
and plan equal to the other modern improvements of the metropolis. The
first pile of the works was driven on the west side of the present
bridge, in March, 1824, and the first coffer-dam having been lately
finished, the ceremony of laying the first stone of the new bridge, has
been happily and auspiciously completed.[171]