. London . The Bridge was curi-ou y irregular ; there was nouniformity in the breadth ofthe arches ; they varied from10 feet to 32 feet. Over thetenth and longest pier waserected a chapel dedicated tothe youngest saint in theCalendar, St. Thomas ofCanterbury. The erection ofa chapel on a bridge was byno means uncommon. Every-body, for instance, who hasbeen in the South of France, remembers the double chapel on the broken bridge atAvignon. Again, a chapel was built on the bridge atDroitwich in Cheshire, and one on the bridge at Wakefield,in Yorkshire. Like the chapel at Avignon, that of LondonB
. London . The Bridge was curi-ou y irregular ; there was nouniformity in the breadth ofthe arches ; they varied from10 feet to 32 feet. Over thetenth and longest pier waserected a chapel dedicated tothe youngest saint in theCalendar, St. Thomas ofCanterbury. The erection ofa chapel on a bridge was byno means uncommon. Every-body, for instance, who hasbeen in the South of France, remembers the double chapel on the broken bridge atAvignon. Again, a chapel was built on the bridge atDroitwich in Cheshire, and one on the bridge at Wakefield,in Yorkshire. Like the chapel at Avignon, that of LondonBridge contained an upper and a lower chapel ; thelatter was built in the pier with stairs, making it accessiblefrom the river. The Bridge gate at the southern end wasfortified by a double tower, and there was also a tower atthe northern end. The wall, or parapet of the Bridge, followedthe line of the piers, so as to give at every pier additional same arrangement used to be seen on the old bridge at. WEST FRONT OF ClIAIEI. ONLONDON BRIDGE 66 LOXDON Putney. The maintenance of this important edifice was inthe hands of the Brethren of St. Thomas of the Bridge. To build a bridge was ever accounted a good work. Wit-ness the lines engraved on the Bridge of Culham : Off alle werkys in this world that ever were wroughtHoly ( hurche is chefe— Another blessid besines is brigges to make, When that the pepul may not passe after greet showers, I )ole it is to drawe a dead body out of a lake, That was fulled in a fount ston and a felow of oures. The citizens have always regarded London Bridge withpeculiar pride and affection. There was no other bridge likeit in the whole country, nor any which could compare with itfor strength or for size. I think, indeed, that there was not inthe whole of Europe any bridge that could compare with it ;for it was built not only over a broad river, but a tidal river,up which the flood rose and ebbed with great vehemence twicea day. Later on they buil
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Keywords: ., bookauthorbesantwa, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, bookyear1892
