[LABELYE, Charles].

The Present State of Westminster Bridge. Containing a Description of the said Bridge, as it has been ordered into Execution by the Right Honourable, &c. the Commissioners appointed by Parliament, and is now carrying on. With a True Account of the Time already Employed in the Building, and of the Works which are now done. In a Letter to a Friend.

30 pp., 1 leaf of ads. 8vo, modern half-calf (title soiled). London: J. Millan, 1743. First edition. The Westminster Bridge was the first major bridge built over an English river for more than a century; consequently, it attracted much attention. Construction commenced in 1738 and the choice of the architect -- Labelye -- was a controversial one. That a youthful architect from Switzerland was chosen gave offense to the established English architects. His methods of construction were considered novel: Labelye laid foundations in caissons which were "huge wooden tanks, open at the top, eighty feet by thirty feet, constructed on shore, floated into position, and then sunk until the bottom rested on the bed of the river, a cavity having been previously excavated for their reception. The pier was then built in the caisson, and when it had reached above the level of high water the sides were removed."­D.N.B., XI, p. 365. This pamphlet, dated 8 December 1742, describes the work completed -- 12 of the 14 piers -- and the author defends himself against his numerous critics. Very good copy. Ex Bibliotheca Mechanica.

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