garrison. Though strongly fortified, it was
repeatedly taken by assault. On its capture by Edward I., Boetius says
17,000 persons were slain, so that its streets "ran with blood like a
river." Within sight of the ramparts, a little to the west, is Halidon
Hill, where a famous victory was gained by Edward III., over the Scottish
army under Douglas; and there is scarcely a foot of ground in the
neighbourhood but has been the scene of contention in days long past. In
the reigns of James I. and Charles I., a bridge of 15 arches was built
across the Tweed at Berwick; and in our own day a railway-bridge of 28
arches has been built a little above the old one, but at a much higher
level. The bridge built by the Kings, out of the national resources,
cost 15,000 pounds, and occupied 24 years and 4 months in the building;
the bridge built by the Railway Company, with funds drawn from private
resources, cost 120,000 pounds, and was finished in 3 years and 4 months
from the day of laying the foundation-stone.

[Picture: The Royal Border Bridge, Berwick-upon-Tweed]

This important viaduct, built after the design of Robert Stephenson,
consists of a series of 28 semicircular arches, each 61 feet 6 inches in
span, the greatest height above the bed of the river being 126 feet. The
whole is built of ashlar, with a hearting of rubble; excepting the river
parts of the arches, which are constructed with bricks laid in cement.
The total length of the work is 2160 feet. The foundations of the piers
were got in by coffer-dams in the ordinary way, Nasmyth's steam-hammer
being extensively used in driving the piles. The bearing piles, from
which the foundations of the piers were built up, were each capable of
carrying 70 tons.

Another bridge, of still greater importance, necessary to complete the
continuity of the East Coast route, was the masterwork erected by Robert
Stephenson between the north and south banks of the Tyne at Newcastle,
commonly known as the High Level Bridge. Mr. R. W. Brandling, George
Stephenson's early friend, is entitled to the merit of originating the
idea of this bridge as it was eventually carried out, with a central
terminus for the northern railways in the Castle Garth. The plan was
first promulgated by him in 1841; and in the following year it was
resolved that George Stephenson should be consulted as to the most
advisable site for the proposed structure. A prospectus of a High Level
Bridge Comp