the two next to the largest are each sixteen feet wide; and, in proportion, to the two least of each side, which are twelve feet wide at the springing of the arches.

The piers are four feet wider at their foundation than at top, and each is laid on a strong bed of timber, of the same shape as the pier, about eighty feet long, twenty-eight feet wide, and two feet thick.

The value of 40,000l. is computed to be always under water, in stone, and other materials. And here it may not be improper to observe, that the caisson, on which the first pier was sunk, contained one hundred and fifty loads of timber; which (if sound when laid, and always kept wet) not only remain sound, but grow harder by time.

The depths or heights of every pier are different, but none have their foundations laid at a less depth than five feet under the bed of the river, and at a greater depth than fourteen feet under the bed. This difference is occasioned by the nature and position of the ground, the bed of gravel lying much lower, and more difficult to come at on the Surry than on the Westminster side.

All the piers are built inside and outside, of solid Portland block stones, none less than one ton, or twenty hundred weight, unless accidentally a small one, called a closer, placed between four other large stones; but most are two or three tons weight, and several of four or five tons. All the stones are set in (and their joints fitted) with a cement called Dutch tarris; they are also fastened with iron cramps, run in with lead, and so placed, as to be imperceptible, nor can they be ever affected by the water.

All the arches spring from about two feet above low-water mark; which renders the bridge much stronger than if the arches sprang from taller piers.

The middle arch is seventy-six feet wide, and the others decrease in width equally on each side by four feet; so that the two next to the middle arch are seventy-two feet wide, and so on, to the least of the two arches, which are each fifty-two feet wide. As to the two small ones, close in shore to the abutments, they are each about twenty-five feet wide.

The

The soffit of every arch is turned and built quite through, with large Portland blocks, over which is built, bounded in by the Portland, another arch of Purbeck stone, four or five times thicker on the reins than over the key; so calculated, that by the help of this secondary arch, together with the incumbent load of materials, all the parts of every arch are in equilibrio; each arch can stand single, without affecting or being affected, by any of the rest.

Between every two arches a drain carries off the water and filth. Some bridges have been ruined for want of this precaution.

Just above and below each abutment there are large and commodious flights of Moor stone steps, for the shipping and landing of goods and passengers.

The piers are laid at a considerable depth under the bed of the river, in a hard bed of gravel, which never requires piling; it being, after rock, the best sort of foundation.

The materials of Westminster Bridge, are the best four kinds of stone. And the size and disposition of those materials prevents any false bearing, or so much as a false joint, in the whole bridge; so that every part is fully and properly supported *.

Respecting the time employed in erecting this magnificent bridge, it is sufficient to observe, that the ballast-men having dug the foundation of the first pier to the depth of five feet under the bed of the river, kept it level, by a

One of the piers of Westminster Bridge, by sinking, damaged the arch to which it belonged so much, that the commissioners thought fit to have it pulled down; when, by laying twelve thousand tons of cannon and leaden weights on the lower part of the pier, the foundation was settled and set to rights, in such a manner as to render it completely secure from all such accidents in future. The misfortune happened in 1747, when this noble structure was almost completed, and prevented its being finished fill the 10th of November 1750; when the last stone was laid by Thomas Lediard, Esq. in the presence of several of the commissioners; and, on the 17th, about twelve at night, it was opened by a procession of several gentlemen of that city, the chief artificers of the work, and a crowd of spectators, preceded by trumpets, kettledrums, &c. and guns firing during the ceremony.

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