Lydford Bridge (1810)

Maton, William George, M.A. Observations relative chiefly to the natural history, picturesque scenery, and antiquities, of the western counties of England, made in the in the years 1794 and 1796. Salisbury: J. Easton, 1797. Vol. I. pp. 303 - 304.Mounting our horses we passed on to Lidford. The scene we had just viewed with so much delight being wholly snatched from our eyes, we could scarcely persuade ourselves that it was not a dream, until we came to Lidford bridge, when, looking over the parapet, we found we were not quite out of the verge of the romantic singularities of this part of the county.Lidford bridge, consisting of only one arch, crosses the river Lid at the terrific height of at least seventy feet. The chasm through which it runs is so shaded by shrubs that we could scarcely perceive the water, and we might not have discovered that we were passing over a river, had we not heard its murmur beneath us. ? On each side hang huge crags, covered with foliage, and projecting in various places with a very picturesque effect. The materials constituting its bed, or channel, being of very soft nature, the stream continually acquires a greater depth below the level of the surrounding country by its incessant friction, and I have no doubt that it has hollowed out the earth sufficiently to disclose lodes of ore, if it be true that fragments have been found in some parts of its course.[Text may be taken from a different source or edition than that listed as the source by Somers Cocks.]

Etching

198x148mm

S036. PROUT, Samuel: RELICS OF ANTIQUITY, OR REMAINS OF ANCIENT STRUCTURES IN GREAT BRITAIN.