be folly to spend any more on its construction than is called for by the engineering requirements of the conditions, due allowance being made, of course, for a possible peopling of the forest or desert in the not very distant future.

The style of ornamentation for a bridge should always be in keeping with its general character; thus, in case of a light highway bridge, ornamental portals with filigree metal-work are appropriate, while in large, massive railway bridges the ornamentation should be of a coarser and bolder character, commensurate with the size and use of the structure.

The author is a firm believer in the principle that true economy, engineering excellence of construction, and the best architectural effect will almost invariably be found to accompany each other, and be inseparable in the designing of any bridge. Moreover, any bridge built with due consideration for, first, effciency, second, appearance, and, third, economy, will be satisfactory and gratifying to not only the trained expert, but also to the general engineer and railroad man, and even to the public; because when all observer notes that in such a structure all the engineering requirements are properly provided for, that there is no evident waste of material, and that all due advantage has been taken of the conditions to render the bridge sightly and in harmony with its surroundings, his eye will of necessity be pleased, and his inherent sense of fitness will cause him to regard the structure with a feeling of pleasure.

In suggesting that "if a steel trussed bridge, economically and wisely constructed according to our present light, offends our ideals of grace and beauty, the fault perhaps is not in the structure, but in the rigidity and immobility of the ideals which have been established by conditions long since outgrown in the progress of science," Mr. Van Brunt has probably indicated the lines of convergence of engineering practice and architectural ideals; for while, as before stated, much can be done with most bridge designs to improve them without increasing their cost or affecting their efficiency, on the other hand it is often impossible for an engineer to modify  a  bridge  design  so  as  to  meet  fully the  critical objections of a