Old Westminster Bridge

Title

Old Westminster Bridge

Artist

Artist unknown

Lent By

Sir Julian Goldsmid, Bart.

Catalog Number

48

Catalog Page

8

Catalog Description

It was of old London, such as is shown in this picture, that Wordsworth wrote his sonnet "On Westminster Bridge:"/ Earth has not anything to show more fair;/ Dull would he be of soul who could pass by/ A sight so touching in its majesty./ Much of old London is still left, and much has since been added which is beautiful: but why are we not more careful to see that works of utility should also be made beautiful? The Charing Cross Railway Bridge is hardly "a sight so touching in its majesty."