Studio: international art (83.1922)

OLD LONDON BRIDGE

dedicated to St. Thomas of Canterbury,
and where Peter of Colechurch was
eventually buried. There were really two
chapels, one above the other. The upper
chapel was lofty, being supported by
fourteen groups of clustered columns and
lighted by pointed windows. The lower
chapel or crypt was constructed in the
bridge itself, and was 20 feet in height,
with a series of clustered columns. 0
In 1646 the houses upon the bridge were
reconstructed. They were destroyed in
the Great Fire of London but were re-
built, and it was these houses which gave
the bridge such a picturesque appearance.
They were doubtless used as shops and
residences, and realised a considerable
annual rental. 0000

The starlings built around the piers
to protect them from the heavy rush of
the tides and colliding boats caused the
waterway between the piers to be greatly
reduced, and as a result the water rushed
through the narrow openings at such a
rate as to render navigation dangerous.
“ Shooting the rapids ” was an experience
which only the hardy ventured upon, and
on one occasion, in 1428, the Duke of
16

“ RUINS OF THE CRYPT OR UNDER CHAPEL
OF ST. THOMAS ON OLD LONDON BRIDGE
AS DISCOVERED IN 1832.” FROM AN
ETCHED DRAWING BY E. W. COOKE, R.A.

Norfolk narrowly escaped being drowned
owing to his State barge being swamped
in the rapids. “ If London Bridge had
fewer eyes it would see better ” was a
proverb of the day—the eyes referred to
being, of course, the arches, of which there
were too many. The navigation of the
rapids is aptly described by Canning in
“ Loves of the Triangles/" 1798 :

“ Shoot we the Bridge i ” the venturous Boatmen
cry—

“ Shoot we the Bridge ! ”—the exulting Fare reply.
—Down the steep fall the headlong waters go,
Curls the white foam, the breakers roll below :

The veering helm the dexterous steersman stops.
Shifts the thin oars, the fluttering canvas drops ;
Then with closed eyes, clenched hands, and quick-
drawn breath.

Darts at the central arch, nor heeds the gulf beneath.
—Full 'gainst the Pier the unsteady timbers knock.
The thin planks starting own the impetuous shock ;
The shifted oar, dropped sail, and steadied helm
With angry surge the closing waters whelm—
Laughs the glad Thames, and clasps each Fair one’s
charms.

That screams and scrambles in his oozy arms :

—Drenched each thin garb, and clogged each
struggling limb

Far o'er the stream the Cocknies sink or swim ;
While each badged Boatman clinging to his oar.
Bounds o'er the buoyant wave, and climbs the
applauding shore.

G. Topham Forrest.