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[Cambridge. St. John's College, Bridge of Sighs.] 58. [The Bridge of Sighs connects the main buildings of St. John's College to the new court. It was designed by Thomas Rickman, an interesting man who started life as a grocer. The date of the building is early nineteenth century. The design of the structure was suggested by the Bridge of Sighs at Venice, which has sometimes given rise to unkind comparisons. It is certainly less graceful than Wren's bridge further down the river, but it nevertheless has charm and distinction. It is a single span, covered over, which gives it the appearance of a cloister; the sides are pierced with open perpendicular windows, the gratings being intended to prevent any nocturnal escape from the College. Only one under-graduate is known to have managed to squeeze between the bars.]