mechanical precision in workmanship, nor need it affect materially that fine economy which is essential to perfection.

Very sincerely yours,

Henry Van Brunt

This letter of Mr. Van Brunt's, in the author's opinion, gives a very just and unprejudiced statement of the status of affairs in relation to the development of bridge-building from the aesthetic point of view; and, in calling the attention of bridge-designers to their lamentable indifference towards beauty in construction, it ought to be the means of inaugurating a much-needed reform in bridge-designing.

In thus candidly acknowledging the correctness of these allegations of the architectural profession against the work of American bridge-designers the author wishes it to be understood that be considers a large portion of his own past work as properly subject to censure; but that for several years, more especially since he severed all connection with the contracting branch of bridge building, he has been endeavoring to reform in this particular, and with a certain amount of success, interspersed perhaps with more or less of failure.

The principal hindrance to the progress of aesthetic reform in bridge-building is liable to emanate from the bridge-manufacturing companies, who have been so accustomed to submitting competitive designs, and who have made in the past so much money thereby, that they will naturally consider any fundamental innovation of this kind as detrimental to their interests. Nevertheless, when some concerted action on the part of bridge specialists is inaugurated with the object of making bridge structures more sightly, it is probable that the manufacturing companies will be far-sighted enough to recognize that their true interests will not be subserved by offering any serious opposition to the proposed reform. Some obstruction is likely to come from managers of railroads, who have for years been used to buying their bridges as cheaply as possible without any regard to appearance, and too often with very little in respect to constructive excellence. It will devolve upon the chief engineers and the bridge engineers of railroads to influence the managements of their