Mr. Rennie was among the number of those who made a propo sal, it is almost unnecessary to add, that he deserved the prefer ence. According to his drafts, a line of works was run across the Sound, from east to west, for the length of 1700 yards, which left an entrance open, and free at either end. The extremities in cline to the north in an angle of 104° from the centre; and are each a curve of 550 yards; but where the sweep ceases, straight line of 1000 yards connects them together. The breadth of the extreme base is 400 feet, at a depth of 30 feet under low water-mark; this gradually diminishes at every rise of ten feet. until, at some height above high water-mark, it is only 48 feet wide. From one end to the other, there is a smooth walking path along this causeway full six feet wide, and well-protected. and the sides are accommodated with jetties, in order to enable boats to land at all tides, and in every weather. Besides the Breakwater, most of the stones, or rather masses, of which are of a greater weight than ten tons each,-a contiguous task was also directed by Rennie, at the same period, which has octasioned great convenience, and the addition of much security: this was the labour of clearing away from the fine pool, thus formed, many rocks which roughly jutted up from the bottom, and had often done considerable damage to the vessels as they casually floated about from their moorings. For this purpose diving-bells were used with singular dexterity and success; they were each six feet wide, and seven high; and weer furnished with shelves for the tools of the workmen, who descended twe at a time, and picked out the solid rocks with their axes, and deposited the fragments thus knocked off-into canvas-bags provided for the purpose. After toiling for two hours, one party was relieved by another. The additional pay for working in this manner under water, was 1s. 6d, for each descent; a remunera tion high enough for the risk, which was little feared, becaus never fatal.

Such are the leading features of all Mr. Rennie's constructions. and they are familiarly distinguishable in those three ornaments of the British metropolis-Waterloo, Southwark, and London Bridges, of which the two first were raised under his own superintendence, and the last is taken from the designs which he lett behind him for the purpose. Southwark Bridge was the first

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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 Ca thedral, 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 be