Chapter xl

.; and I shall first give a very few particulars of the Act relating to London Bridge, and next shew how the alteration was effected. By this Statute, then, the Corporation was empowered to buy and remove all buildings on, and contiguous to, the Bridge, for enlarging its avenues, improving the passage over, and widening one or more of its arches:--to devise how the same should be executed, and kept in repair:--to erect an uniform ballustrade on each side, with a passage of 31 feet for carriages, &c., and 7 feet for each of the footways:--to have it lighted and watched at the expense of the Bridge-House estates:--to preserve the arches and pipes belonging to the Water-works:--to establish, after the 24th of June, 1756, an additional toll for the payment of the expenses incurred by the alterations:--to keep the Bridge clear of buildings, and of carriages standing upon it for hire, after the houses should be removed; and to make all carriages keep on the Eastern side in going towards Southwark, and on the Western side in coming to London. The Act also provided penalties for destroying the Bridge or any of its works; extensive powers for the Corporation in buying the various property; an equivalent for the tythes, rates, &c., payable to the Rectors of St. Magnus and St. Margaret, and St. Olave; and particular ordinances concerning the tolls.

“Gates and toll-houses were to be erected on, or near, London Bridge; but to continue only until the principal and interest of the borrowed monies should be discharged. The additional tolls were, ‘for every horse drawing any coach, chariot, hearse, berlin, landau, calash, chaise, or chair, over the Bridge, 1_d._; for every such carriage itself, 1_d._; and for every horse not drawing, passing across the Bridge, 1/2_d._’ Loaded vessels also, passing under the Bridge, were to pay 2_d._ for every 5 tons burthen; 3_d._ for ten tons; 6_d._ for 25 tons, and 1_s._ for vessels of greater capacity. In the Act for building a Bridge at Blackfriars, 29th of George II.--1756,--