A project for throwing a steel bridge across tho channel is (says tho St. James' Budget) doubtlosj a oiitable topio for academioal dis cussion ; but thero was nothing m tho paper read on Tuoiday before tho Iron end Stool Institute at Piris to bring it within tho cata logue of pos.«hle, or oven feasible, under takings. Tho ohannel bridge must still bo olassed with ciannol tunnels, railwaja to tho moon, anc n, balloon service across the Atlantic It would tako ten years to make, and would cost £24,400,000, or about six (irteß as much as a tunnel. From a military point of viow it would he equally objectionable j whilo its financial prospects would bo many degreoss loss hopo ful. Tho President of tho Institute, indeed, kuows an eniinmt capitalist m Paris who would finance Clio scheme ; but there are eminont oapitalbtß who would financo any thing. Still, it is ft prelty projeot, and tho soa-eick traveller may whilo away tho tedium of the passoga ir. thinking whothor he would rather bo m a tunnel under the sea, or on a bridge 200 ft nbovo it, or thrown overboard and drowned outright.
