tinued
to stand, with various repairs and alterations, until the year
1828, when, in consequence of the decay of the piles, and the
continual heavy expenses required to uphold it, the
Commissioners determined to build a new one of more durable
materials. Messrs. Rennie were therefore applied to for designs,
and a bill was brought into Parliament to authorize the
Commissioners to raise funds. The works were commenced in the
spring of 1829, and on the 14th of September following the first
stone was laid by their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of
Clarence (their present Majesties). Since then, the works have
been carried on to their present completion under the direction
of Mr. G. Rennie and Mr. Brown, the superintendents, and Messrs.
Jolliffe and Banks, the contractors."

The Engraving is from a Sketch by our obliging Windsor Correspondent:
it was taken from the old bridge, whence the spectator enjoys a
delightful view of Windsor Castle, through the centre arch of the new
fabric.

By the way, we noticed the project of this new stone bridge, in
connexion with our Engraving of the new church at Staines, in vol.
xii. of _The Mirror_, August 30, 1828.

* * * * *

THE WRECK.

_(FOR THE MIRROR.)_

No mare, no more, o'er the dark blue sea,
Will the gallant vessel bound,
Fearless and proud as the warrior's plume
At the trumpet's startling sound;
No more will her banner assert its claim
To empire on the foam,
And the sailors cheer as the thunder rolls
From the guns of their wave-girt home!

Her white sails gleam'd like the sunny dawn
On the brow of the sapphire sky,
And her thunder echoed along the cliffs,
Awaking the seamew's cry;
Oh! it was glorious to see her glide
Triumphantly over the sea,
With her blue flag fluttering in the wind,
The symbol of victory.

But she lies forlorn in the breakers now,
Her stately masts are gone,
And cold are the hearts of the dauntless crew
That yielded their swords to none;
The gun is hush'd in her lofty sides,
And the flute on her silent deck;
Alas! that a queenly form like hers
Should ever have been a wreck!

Thus Hope's illusions droop away
From the heart which their beauty won,
And leave it forlorn as the gallant ship,
Ere its summer of life is begun.
It is peopled with lovely images,