BRIDGES IN NORTH WALES.

Besides several stone bridges, three of a novel description were required:

Menai Bridge.

Over the Menai Strait, which separates the island of Anglesey from Carnarvonshire, in order to supersede an inconvenient ferry, it was found, after many years' investigation and discussion, that, in a navigable and rapid tideway, a bridge upon the principle of suspension was the most practicable and economical; a bridge of that description, therefore, was begun in 1818, and successfully completed and opened on the 30th of January, 1826. This structure being of very unprecedented novelty and magnitude, considerable apprehensions were entertained concerning its stability; the engineer, therefore, by the advice of his friend, the President of the Royal Society (one of the Commissioners), considerably increased the height of the piers, and the dimensions of the masonry and ironwork, beyond the original design, and this unavoidably led to corresponding increase of expense; but as all the works were paid for at the prices previously fixed in making the first estimate, and as the quantities have been ascertained by measurements and weights correctly made by the resident engineer, the public has only paid for what was actually found in the work, and the edifice is thereby rendered more substantial.

The contractor for the iron works having made a claim on the Commissioners for alleged loss sustained by him in consequence of the unprecedented rise in the price of iron, the Commissioners felt themselves justified, on

enquiry, in representing to the Treasury that the difference between the price paid by him for 2000 tons of iron, employed on this and the Conway bridges, and the price at which the contract had been made, exceeded 4500l.; but this claim was not admitted.

The distance between the points of suspension, for the middle opening, is 580 feet, and between the pyramids and toll-houses about half as much, to which is to be added what passes down the galleries to the places of fixture in the rocks, making the whole length of each main chain 1750 feet, or one third of a mile.

The height from low water to the top of the saddles on the pyramids is 181 feet; and between the saddles and the roadway, 60 feet.

The breadth of the platform is 30 feet, and consists of two driving ways and a footpath between them.

There are four stone arches on the Anglesey side, and three on the Carnarvonshire side, each 52 feet 6 inches span.

This bridge has been in constant use four years, has required no repair but painting, and is now in a perfect

state.

Conway Bridge.

At the town of Conway, between the before-mentioned island and the rocks in front of the old castle, there is a space through which the tide flows with very considerable velocity: over this space there has been made a bridge on the same principle as the Menai; it is 327 feet between the points of suspension; in this there is only a single roadway. The main chains are fixed in rocks at each extremity; the western approach is by a gateway formed in the old town wall, and by an embrasured

terrace around the basement of one of the towers; the masonry of the supporting pyramids, and also the tollhouse, is made to correspond with the old castle.

Waterloo Bridge.

Where the Shrewsbury road crosses the Conway river, above Llanrwst, it was necessary to build a new bridge of one arch, 105 feet span; and building stone of proper dimensions and quality not being to be had at any moderate expense, this bridge is built of cast iron. The main ribs consist of the following words in roman capitals:-"This bridge was constructed in the same year the battle of Waterloo was fought;"—and having the national emblems, the rose, thistle, and shamrock, in the angles, it becomes a public and lasting testimonial of the action which so splendidly terminated the war.

THE ROAD BETWEEN LONDON AND NORTH WALES.

Highgate Archway Road.

This road being upon a clay soil with springs of water, originally very imperfectly made, never properly repaired, and at last totally neglected, it became absolutely necessary to thoroughly re-make the whole upon proper principles.

The roadway bottom was, therefore, completely opened, and numerous side and cross drains constructed, so as to carry off the water. Next, in order effectually to prevent the water, or even the damp from the clay, affecting the roadway, a bed of concrete, composed of Parker's cement and washed gravel, six inches in thickness, was laid over it, which, at the same time, formed a

substantial bottoming for the road metalling: upon the bed thus prepared, there has been laid a coating of broken Guernsey granite.

There has been a regular footpath formed along each side of the road: the slopes of the deep cutting on each side of the archway, which were cracking and slipping down, have been dressed and sown with grass seeds. The whole remaining now in a perfect state after a trying winter, is an instance that even a seemingly desperate case may, by proper exertions and skill, be effectually remedied; and also proves of what importance it is to have a road very perfectly made at first.-Distance improved, 1 mile 892 yards.

Barnet and South Mims Road.

Between the town of Barnet and the village of South Mims, an entirely new road has been made, with two bridges and a regular footpath; proper recesses have been made for containing repair stones, clear of the roadway; the toll-house and milestones are of the same plan as those in North Wales.-Length, 3 miles 352 yards.

St. Albans Road.

A new road has been made from the Red Lion Inn, in the town of St. Albans, across the river Vere to Pond Yards, with considerable cuttings and embankings, and a bridge over the river.-Length, 2 miles.

Hockliffe Hills.

An extensive improvement has been made at Hockliffe Hills, consisting wholly of deep cuttings and embankings; the roadway is formed with rubble stone pavement

bottoming, covered with broken pebbles.-Length, 1 mile

1672 yards.

Sandhouse Hills.

This improvement consists wholly of cuttings and embankings; the roadway is constructed as the last mentioned.― Length, 1320 yards.

Brickhill.

There is a new piece of road at Brickhill, chiefly cutting and embanking; the roadway same as last. — Length, 880 yards.

Fenny Stratford.

At this village, the hollow west of the bridge has been raised by lowering the hill in the street, the roadway has been widened, several houses have been removed, and others underbuilt; fence walls, railings, and stairs have been constructed. Length, 451 yards.

Old Stratford.

At Old Stratford village the road has been raised, widened, and made with paved bottom, and coated with Mount Sorrel stone. Length, 370 yards.

Gullet Hills.

This improvement consists of cuttings and embankings; the roadway is constructed with a paved bottom, the workable part covered with broken limestone. Length, 1540 yards.

Cuttle Mill.

In this valley there is an embankment 44 feet in