built, in order of time; and was also the first erection in this or any other country, in which the bold idea of using solid masses of cast-iron, and of a size far exceeding the largest stones, that are adopted for similar ends, was introduced. The design of the arches is, to the eye, as simple in beauty as their strength is daily proved to be grand in effect. It is impossible to consider the extent to which they spread, the elevation to which they rise, and the huge forms by which they are wrought, without admitting that metallurgy has in this country been carried to the highest pitch of perfection; and that the powers of modern man are elevated in an unparalleled degree above the triumphs of ancient genius. But the bridge at the Strand is, perhaps, that monument which is oftenest praised by the traveller, and most enjoyed by the native; and there are many circumstances to be mentioned, which seem to justify the preference. Independent of the beauty of the design, and the neatness of its execution, the merit of the level plan, and the prodigious labour of smoothing the approaches; the fact that it is confessedly the finest bridge in the world, raised at a cost of a million and a half of money, and finished within the moderate space of six years, all tend to impressions which extenuate the warmth of national pride upon the subject.

Besides these tasks of more striking labour and grander appearance, Rennie engaged at different periods in other buildings, which equally proved the correctness of his judgment, and the variety of his taste. To describe, or even to specify all these, would induce too much of detail; but it may be mentioned that the Auction Mart, in Bartholomew-lane, and the London Institution, in Moorfields, have always been instanced as very favourable specimens of his skill in architecture. There were also many learned and scientific associations, in the proceedings of which he took a creditable part, after having received the distinction of a gratuitous enrolment amongst their lists of eminent members. Of these, the Royal Societies of London, Dublin, and Edinburgh; the Astronomical and Geological Societies are those best known to the public, and most identified with his name.

In private life the virtues of Mr. Rennie are described by his friends, to have been as estimable as his talents were proved valuable. For the greater period of his life his health was excel

lent, and his strength uncommon. There was every prospect that both would long endure; but as his years approached to number three-score, illness suddenly attacked, and for some time lingered in his frame, until Thursday, the 4th of October, 1821, on which day he expired. His funeral being public, was respectfully attended by the most distinguished men in the metropolis; and his grave was very properly sunk in the crypt of St. Paul's Cathedral, where it is marked by an altar tomb of polished granite, with this becoming inscription :

Here lie the mortal remains of
JOHN RENNY,

F.R.S. F.A.S.

Born at Phantassie, in East Lothian,
7th July, 1761.

Deceased in London, 4th Oct. 1821.
This Stone

is dedicated to his private virtues,
and records

the affection and the respect of
his Family and his Friends,
But the many splendid and useful Works
by which,

under his superintending Genius,
England, Scotland, and Ireland,
have been adorned and improved,

are the true monuments of
his public merit.

Waterloo and Southwark Bridges, Plymouth Breakwater,

Sheerness Docks, &c. &c.

To sum up the general merits of this eminent engineer, is no ungrateful task:-he lived admired, and died lamented. He cultivated the art which he professed almost with enthusiasm; and was as remarkable for the profundity with which he studied every theory, as for the efficiency with which he enforced every practice that could be deduced from it. His bodily exertions were also indefatigable; he made it a point to see and examine every work which in its nature or purposes could be assimilated to any thing he had himself undertaken or meditated to perform. His reading was considerable, and the selection of books in his library evinced great judgment. The integrity with which he

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discharged the many public trusts he was appointed to, was also exemplary: upwards of fifty millions of money were expended under his hands, with an economy that left him, at his death, far less wealthy than the magnitude and cost of his occupations would have led his friends to believe. There was never a subterfuge to be traced in the noble outline of strength for which his labours are so remarkable; he inspected every material himself, and never permitted a contractor to indulge in the hope of a chance through which to elude the terms of his agreement. On these grounds it may be said, as proudly as justly, that he lived and laboured for futurity: his reputation was in the honesty of his deeds, and his enjoyment in the perfect success of his undertakings.

SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS.

THE monument erected to the first President of the Royal Academy is placed under the great dome of St. Paul's, and supported by the massive pier to the north-west. It is a single statue, and represents the artist in the gown of a Doctor of Laws, holding his celebrated lectures in his right hand, and resting his left upon an elevated pedestal, to which is affixed a bust of Michael Angelo. The work is inscribed with the name of Flaxman, R.A. sculptor; and appears to be a plain performance, with little that is imposing in the position, and something weak in the portraiture of the head. The inscription, of which the following is a translation, is in Latin :

*To JOSHUA REYNOLDS,
The first painter of his age,

*JOSHUA REYNOLDS, Pictorum sui seculi facile Principi