wished to span the whole river by a single iron arch, whose splendid
dimensions would have formed one of the most remarkable engineering
triumphs ever invented. The scheme, for some good reason, doubtless, was
not adopted; but it is impossible to look at Telford's grand drawing of
the proposed bridge--a single bold arch, curving across the Thames from
side to side, with the dome of St Paul's rising majestically above it--
without a feeling of regret that such a noble piece of theoretical
architecture was never realized in actual fact.

Telford had now come to be regarded as the great practical authority
upon all that concerned roads or communications; and he was reaping the
due money-reward of his diligence and skill. Every day he was called
upon to design new bridges and other important structures in all parts
of the kingdom, but more especially in Scotland and on the Welsh border.
Many of the most picturesque bridges in Britain, which every tourist has
admired, often without inquiring or thinking of the hand that planned
them, were designed by his inventive brain. The exquisite stone arch
which links the two banks of the lesser Scotch Dee in its gorge at
Tongueland is one of the most picturesque; for Telford was a bit of an
artist at heart, and, unlike too many modern railway constructors, he
always endeavoured to make his bridges and aqueducts beautify rather
than spoil the scenery in whose midst they stood. Especially was he
called in to lay out the great system of roads by which the Scotch
Highlands, then so lately reclaimed from a state of comparative
barbarism, were laid open for the great development they have since
undergone. In the earlier part of the century, it is true, a few central
highways had been run through the very heart of that great solid block
of mountains; but these were purely military roads, to enable the king's
soldiers more easily to march against the revolted clans, and they had
hardly more connection with the life of the country than the bare