6317. PAINE (Thomas), Iron bridge.—[further continued].
To say another word
about the catenary arch, without caring about
mathematical demonstrations, its nature proves
it to be in equilibrio in every point. It is the
arch formed by a string fixed at both ends, and
swaying loose in all the intermediate points.
Thus at liberty, they must finally take that position,
wherein every one will be equally pressed;
for if any one was more pressed than the neighboring
point, it would give way, from the flexibility
of the matter of the string.—
To Thomas Paine. Washington ed. ii, 547.
(P.
1788)
