The bridges which cross the railroad exhibit in some places forms not to be met with on the Birmingham line, such as the continuation of the main arch through the side arches, so as to serve as abutments, and the lightening of the piers by open work. This is beautifully exemplified in the grand viaduct over the Ouse, the piers of which are in one part a hundred feet in height. The sides of this splendid structure are, of course, not seen from the railroad, though this object might be accomplished by means of reflecting glasses, if it were thought desirable. The length of this viaduct is 1437 ft., or rather more than a quarter of a mile. It is justly considered a master-piece of engineering, and affords one of the finest examples of elegant simplicity combined with strength, that is any where to be met with. There are many skew bridges on this line, and one or two formed of single ribs 3 ft. apart, bridged over, apparently for the purpose of showing how skew bridges may be dispensed with. The station-houses are plain and neat, but without pretension to ornament. On a Brighton line we think more beauty and variety might have been displayed in them, but a due regard to economy no doubt prevented this. The regulations at both extremities of the line, for safety and saving trouble to passengers, are far superior to those on the Birmingham line, or in any other with which we are acquainted. The last thing which we shall notice, as connected with the railroad, is a young plantation of trees on the right hand just before arriving at Brighton. It affords a capital example of overpruning; the trees, which are from 10 ft. to 20 ft. in height, and both of needle-leaved and broad-leaved kinds, being deprived of their branches for two thirds of their height.
