No. Xxxviii. A romantic bridge near skeen. This structure is formed of timber, projecting from one rock to another opposite, crossing a rapid branch of the waters, described in no. 37. The present view was taken above the fall, and not far from the site of the last. Here the eye looking over the fall, sees only the rapids below. At the time of the melting of the snow, and after heavy rains in the mountains, the stream becomes prodigiously swollen, passing under the bridge with tremendous rapidity and noise, tearing the rocks, and carrying every thing before it into the skeen fiord, as seen through the bridge. A tremulous motion under the traveller's feet, prompts him involuntarily to cling to the sides in passing, or in looking on the boiling cauldron below. The bridge is about eighty feet in length, by ten wide; its elevation above the water, is about fifty feet. On the outsides from end to end, a little below the parapet, (which is little more than breast high) are projecting points, or eaves, covered with red pantiles, to prevent the horses and travellers, from looking perpendicularly down on the gulph. The framing consists of mast timber, securely bolted together, and well inserted and fastened to the rocks on each side; the footway is composed of the small round firs, laid as usual, side by side, at right angles with the parapets. It is much frequented by persons going to and from the town, and to the ships, at the anchoring place in the fiord on the right. In august, when this view was taken, the water was low, and many singular rocks with torn sides presented themselves, decorated with a few trees and shrubs. The approach to this bridge is well guarded with stone walls. The mountains on the opposite side of the fiord are lofty, and their sides well covered with firs, pines, and birch-trees; the plains and vallies on their tops, are studded with well cultivated farms. On one of the hills is seen a summer house, from the vicinity of which, the view no. 36 was taken. Under it by the water side, is seen a farmhouse, and a fisherman's hut; in the proper season, the salmon are seen leaping this fall, to visit the rivers and lakes above, from which they seldom return, and indeed rarely avoid being speared, or taken in snares placed in and about their haunts. It is equally curious to observe them, when on their return to the sea; being well aware of the fatal consequences of venturing by a perpendicular fall, they carefully seek its sides for a smaller descent, over which by a violent effort, they endeavour to shoot themselves beyond the agitated water at the bottom. The man with the fishing rod, is endeavouring to catch small fishes, that are alarmed at the leap down. Date: 1800. Romantic Bridge, near Skeen (JW Edy plate 38)
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