Chapter I: Part 1

The Builder, No. 2, February 18, 1843.

_SATURDAY, February 18, 1843._

The various speculations and expressions of opinion to which our movements have given rise would, if accurately noted, supply the most interesting exposition of what we have to contend with on the one hand, and what we have to encourage us on the other. We should gather from it the most convincing testimony of the necessity of some such effort as that which we are now making to remove the general ignorance on all points connected with Building, whether as regards the science or its professors and practitioners. Grave and experienced men are to be found who hold up their hands in astonishment at the rashness, as they consider it, of our enterprise—men who argue upon general principles against the success of our plan. They say the Builders are not a reading class, nor a class at all, either in themselves or their connection, to support a periodical like the one we propose to give. The publishers in particular, and they, in their experience on all points connected with publication, are certainly entitled to be considered oracles—the publishers generally have but a mean opinion, or say they can form no opinion at all of the probabilities of success. They confess themselves astonished at the numbers of the Building Class; but they mistrust the conclusions to which we have come upon the data which these numbers supply. So little have publishers had to do with the Building Class, and so little the Builders with the publishers, that they might have lived on the opposite sides of the same globe as regards the acquaintance each has with the other for any practical interchange of their mutual special interests; but we propose to bring them into more intimate union, and to make the publisher at least confess that he knew not one half the territory over which his appointment was designed to extend.

But there are parties connected with the arts who might have been supposed to have lived in something like a consciousness of the immense, as it is intimate, alliance that subsists between them and the Builders as members, it may be said, of one common fraternity; and these are as ignorant of the more important facts as it is possible to suppose men to be. An eminent sculptor addressed us the other day in a strain of this character: “The Builders,” said he, “are too small a body to support a class paper; look around you,” he continued, “and you find them dotted here and there only, and not like the Shoemakers, or the Publicans, or the Butchers, meeting you at every turn.” It should be stated that he had seen our Precursor Number. We asked him if he was aware of the fact the Carpenters alone outnumbered the Shoemakers, and that the whole body of Builders are as five to one of that very numerous class: that in round numbers we had 130,000 Carpenters, 60,000 Masons, 40,000 Bricklayers, 30,000 Painters, Plumbers, and Glaziers, and so on. And that these were an intelligent, a reading, a thinking, and provident class, and well to do in the world. At this he expressed his surprise, but yet in such terms as to shew us that there was a leaven of incredulity mixed with it. Again we referred to them as an advertising class, on which he seemed amazed, but more so when we pointed out to him seventy-one advertisements in the Precursor, and expressed our belief that shortly it would amount to five times that number. On this head, indeed, it would be easy for us to give convincing proof, were we so disposed, and we know not but we may, for the curiosity of the matter, some day do it; we could print the largest part of a paper in thickly-set advertisements pertaining to building, and all selected from the London and provincial papers of one week: sales and falls of timber, of brick earth, and minerals; of building land and general building materials; businesses to be disposed of, contracts to let, situations wanted, and the like; indeed, there is no such class, no class so much in need of, and so well able to support their own weekly paper. Other parties we have met with, and reports have been brought to our ears, from men moving in the very ranks of the workmen themselves, who express a most disparaging opinion, not of our objects, or our exertions, but of their fellow-workmen; they say, in as many words, that “we are throwing pearls before swine.” The plan is good, they admit; but they urge that the mass of the workmen are too fond of amusements, and so given to low and sensual indulgences, as to deny the hope that they will, to any extent of numbers, seek to benefit by it. These people, we are afraid, measure their class by themselves. Others again urge, that the reading appetite is vitiated and depraved, and that unless we pander to the passions of the multitude “by strong and exciting and vulgar matter” (we use their own words), we may look in vain for subscribers. Against all these we have to contend, and we are utterly opposed to them in opinion on all such grounds as the foregoing; but in one point we agree,—we certainly have an uphill affair. The ground we have chosen is unoccupied and untrodden. We have a great task in reversing the usage of centuries. We must, therefore, call upon the workmen themselves to aid us in fighting their own battle,—not a battle against interests or individuals, but against ignorance and exclusion. And we reiterate our call on the friends of the working classes, for whose satisfaction, and the satisfaction of all who care to know it, we now make our profession of purpose as regards the end and object of our labours.

We do not want to inflame the mind of the workman with discontent; we do not want to unsettle or disturb the relations of society; we do not wish to raise any man above his proper condition. On the contrary, we would promote and teach contentment; we would settle and consolidate; we would give every man his own proper level. We consider that it is too much the tendency of the agitation of these times to effect the opposite of all this. The best words are perverted from their true meaning or misunderstood; a false principle pervades and regulates our intentions, and the world runs counter to its own wishes, by reason of its neglect of simple truths, which he who runs may read.

As regards that much abused word education, and as to our purpose to educate the workman, a right understanding will suffice to disarm it of its terrors in the minds of many who have seen in its perversion or abuse that which they have ascribed to education itself. What is an educated man? Here we fancy we hear ten thousand voices exclaim, What a question! And yet we challenge the whole of that ten thousand to give the true answer, if they reply in the generally accepted meaning of the term. Education is too frequently confounded with book-learning, and that is considered to be knowledge which is only the key to it. Take your educated man, as he is called, and put him into the workshop or the sphere of operation in that art on which he descants so learnedly, and he must give way (at first at least) to the unlettered, or, as he is termed, the uneducated artificer and labourer. A mind well stored with the facts that bear upon any particular art, may be likened to a well-furnished chest of tools; but it requires a practised hand to apply those tools with skill and to a useful purpose—all the rest is mere theory; and of this sort of theory we have a great deal too much now-a-days.

Aye! we will take the rude, unlettered Carpenter of the most obscure country workshop, and match him as an educated man against the most learned pundit of our universities. We do not mean to say that the Carpenter is a better man for his rudeness, or because he may read or write badly, or not at all; but we take this as an illustration of the meaning we attach to the word education in its practical sense, and we will now say a word as to its bearing on the course we have chalked out for ourselves.

It is true that the relations of society and its workings in these times appear very mysterious, confused, and complicated; but what does it arise from? Does any man imagine it to be more difficult to regulate domestic or civic government now, than it was in the simplest state of pastoral life? Not a whit the more, provided the education of the heart, the bringing out of its virtuous tendencies be properly studied and promoted. Teach the workman his duties in the several relations in which he is placed, as much as you aim at making his skilful in the handling of his tools, or the fashioning of his materials, and you have educated him for the whole end of his existence; but he wants few or none of the theories of matters that are above him.

It is to settle then, to calm or quell the agitation of purpose which now disturbs the public mind, to do our part in this, as we conceive, great work of national repair, to bring into harmony the now contending powers and forces, and to assist in our humble way to direct them to one end and object, of peaceful and profitable action, that our exertions will be directed.

And how do we propose to do this? how do we aim to be useful in this work of charity,—for surely charity it must be called which shall effect the ends of peace? Why, by bearing in mind and acting upon the old proverb, “Charity begins at home.” We begin with our class—we begin at home.

Oh! there are conquests more bright, achievements higher, glory greater to be reaped in this sphere than in all the turmoil of politics, or the dread strife of war! Let us wean our countrymen, but particularly that great body of which we have the honour of being a member,—the building class,—from the fretting and exciting consideration of subjects which only tend to unhinge the mind and distract it from acquiring that solid profit which a skilful exercise of his craft procures from every intelligent workman, let the quiet habits of a steady industry be enforced upon ourselves; let our curious and admiring thoughts be bent, so far as business goes, upon the investigation of the principles in science, and the properties in nature which affect the things we construct, and the materials of which they are constructed; let the workshop and the building have our working hours, and our homes and families the rest, even to a participation in our studies, for these in most instances may be made the interest, and now and then the delight of every family circle.

Is it nothing, good countrymen and esteemed fellow-craftsmen, that we have to boast of honours and achievements such as neither military daring, or statesmanlike craft or wisdom has ever attained, or can attain to. What are all the doings of the science of war or government compared with the building up, on clear and well-defined principles, abstract as well as tangible, those stupendous and imperishable memorials of a country’s history which the works of the Architect and the Building Artificer supply. After the lapse of ages of obscurity, we recover, by means of the indelible tracings of the hand of the long departed, a knowledge of the habits, character, and condition of the countries in which they lived and worked. How much of the tale of British history of the fourteenth century, and of following centuries, have to be recorded by the architect and builder of these days? and by those whom their present conduct will influence? How important then it is that there should be none of the trifling in our department, and that we should be alive to the importance of the functions we are called upon to exercise.

The humblest workman of the building class is charged with the duties of the same mission. It will be our part to show them how this duty was discharged in times gone by, and to engage them in the consideration of such subjects, and in the labour of acquiring a similar mastery in their craft with those whose works we call upon them to join us in investigating.

It is thus that we propose to educate—the standard of mechanical and moral excellence must be raised at the same time, and good citizens, as well as able artisans and artists, be trained under one system and together.

OUR CORRESPONDENCE.

It is a pleasing part of our duty to acknowledge the flattering testimonials we have received in favour of our work. Certain of our approving friends have taken the trouble to write, but many more have called at the office, and expressed the warmest interest in the success of THE BUILDER, with a determination to do all in their power to insure it. The Royal Institute of British Architects have, by a special resolution, directed their Honorary Secretary (Mr. Bailey) to acknowledge the reception of our first number, and the Society of Arts have placed it in their library, and thanked us for the presentation. These matters are noted as shewing that a work of this class is recognized by important public bodies as deserving of their especial regard; and we feel assured that as we advance we shall find not only an admission but a welcome to every public and private library in which the literature of art obtains a place.

We have letters of encomium from architects as well as from builders and working men; and as it is for the latter that we are most anxious, feeling assured that when matters are right at the base of the social structure, the ornaments are firmly fixed and supported, so we feel the greater pride in perceiving the interest which the workman takes in our labours. It is the architect, however, and the experienced and liberal master builder, the clerk of works, and foreman, who can assist us to the enlightening of the body of the craft; and we have one grateful specimen of this species of co-operation, from a learned and eminent architect, an extract from which we cannot forbear committing to print.

“I should like to know whether THE BUILDER will assume the
character of _Loudon’s Magazine_, or whether you intend it
entirely for the working classes—if for the latter, shall
you endeavour to bring before them the _principles_ of what
they are called upon to labour at, or shall you endeavour to
give them a taste for those acquirements which at present are
supposed to be possessed by those who direct them? I do not
fear any ill from raising the mental condition of the artisan,
but see in it much good, at the same time, feel the difficulty
of elevating the social condition of so large a mass of the
community, and am desirous that when the attempt is made, it
should be followed by success.

“To inform the working classes how their labour was performed
in ancient days, would be instructive and amusing, and would
lead to a better style of workmanship. I will instance the
carpenter’s employment—describe the tools, the style of
setting out and executing roofs of the middle ages, where
neither iron-work nor nails of any kind were employed. The
scarfing, the manner of uniting the timbers, &c. &c., are all
at variance with modern practice. Then the beautiful manner in
which the whole is put together and balanced would be a study
calculated to raise him in his own estimation, and satisfy him
that he belonged to a superior class of artificers. Emulation
would encourage him to do as well or better, to carry the
same excellence into minor employments, or, at all events, to
understand sufficient to derive pleasure from the examination
of many of the specimens left us. A vast deal might be written
upon the mere handicraft—much more upon the principles—more
still upon the art; and when the design is taken up, the field
is too spacious to put bounds to.”

The foregoing so well expresses many of our views that we can hardly encumber it by a comment. We have in another place given our own opinions on the question of “raising the mental condition of the artisan,” and we have also in the same paper attempted to sketch out by what means and for what end we propose to raise it. We shall, therefore, proceed to the letter of another architect, which, as it regards the “getting up,” as it is termed, of the paper, has a practical value in that sense, and will enable us to explain a point or two in reference to it, that may give satisfaction to many.

“SIR,

“As you have invited opinions of your precursor number of THE
BUILDER, I take the liberty, as an architect, to express my
gratification at the publication of so useful and desirable
a periodical, and have very little doubt, if continued as
promised in the address, of its becoming a work of great
circulation, and one which will effect much benefit to the
numerous classes connected with the building art, more
particularly to the workman, providing you publish it at a
price within his means, for at present, it is much to be
regretted, this great class of persons are wholly denied
the advantages derived by perusal of works on this science,
owing to the high price at which they are from necessity
published. I would therefore suggest you give this the fullest
consideration, as I feel sixpence will be too high to give THE
BUILDER the circulation you desire. Another point requiring
attention will be as to the advertisements, both as to quantity
and description. If general advertisements are received, it
will not so well admit of the title you give to the paper,
which should exclude many such as are in the Precursor; and I
fear, without much less space is devoted, or that the number
of advertisements is compressed by smaller type, you will
experience a disappointment in the success of your undertaking.
I again beg you will accept the thanks and best wishes of an

“ARCHITECT.”

Now as to price, we think the best answer we can give is the present number. We have been advised to steer clear of too low a price at the commencement, because of the admitted difficulty of alteration in such cases, when found necessary to raise it. We hope no such necessity will arise in this; that the largeness of the subscription-list and of the number of purchasers will fully compensate us for any sacrifice we may make in the outset. With regard to advertisements, it was our wish to confine the list to such as bore directly on building, but to be stringent in this respect would be to deprive the paper of a large power of usefulness. Builders want almost every thing, and are consumers to an immense amount of all sorts of commodities; wherefore, then, should we refuse our columns to advertisements that inform the workman and the master alike of the ready means of supplying their general daily wants? But we make this promise, that the space given to advertisements shall not defraud the inquiring reader of his full share of information and of matter of trade interest; nor shall our friends the advertisers be treated with less consideration for this resolve—the more they bestow their favours upon us, the more shall we study to cater for their advantage, and for every page they add to our sheet we shall in some way or other give a page to the reader, so that the mutual workings of both parties shall be for the mutual good.

We give the next letter, though of some length, entire. It, like the first from which we made an extract, embodies so much of our views and plans, that we would give Mr. Harvey the full credit of his own clear perceptions, by letting it be seen how well he understands the subject upon which he writes, as will be exemplified in the carrying out.

“SIR,

“The general invitation conveyed through the ‘precursor number’
has induced me to offer a few remarks in reference to THE
BUILDER.

“‘The _discovery_ of the disease is half the _cure_;’ so in
this instance, the primary point to ascertain is, what class
stands most in need of the kind of publication contemplated
in THE BUILDER. When the vast number directly and indirectly
connected with building and mechanical pursuits is considered,
there is certainly much cause for encouragement in such a
project: at all events, it may be fairly concluded that there
is a good _site_; and if the _foundation_ be well studied,
there is but little fear of erecting a _durable structure_.

“I have no doubt that THE BUILDER may be rendered worthy the
patronage of all the numerous grades named in the list given in
the ‘precursor number;’ but bearing in mind ‘the old man and
his ass,’ I am of opinion, that out of these several grades,
some particular class should be specially borne in view, and
that upon the selection of this class mainly depends the
success of THE BUILDER.

“Upon a review of such literary works extant as may be
deemed the property of that body to whom THE BUILDER is
addressed, I think it will be found that no class of
men are so ill provided for as _journeymen mechanics_
generally, and this is the class that I would recommend
to your preference in the conduct of THE BUILDER; to this
class THE BUILDER ought to be considered invaluable in the
dissemination of _practical knowledge_,—_extracts from works
made inaccessible by their cost_,—_experiments_,—_hints on
construction_,—_design_,—_enrichment_, and similar topics;
which at the same time would be very acceptable to the more
enlightened portion of the building community, and produce
inquiry and improvement in the minds of the less experienced
and youthful.

“With this view but little will be expected or required of THE
BUILDER in the character of a _newspaper_. Further than the
limited notice of occurrences appertaining to its title, I
would suggest the insertion of the _markets_, or current prices
of building materials, &c. &c., and in particular, that an
allotted space be given up to the subjects just referred to, to
the exclusion of advertisements or any other matter. Probably
once a fortnight might suffice for such a work; this point,
however, with its price, I will not now enter upon, having
already, I fear, trespassed too long on your attention.

“Be assured of my interest in the success of THE BUILDER; to
the aid of which my humble tribute will be given with much
pleasure.

“I am, Sir, your obedient Servant,

“SIDNEY HARVEY.”

The next letter is from a plasterer, and we make it the occasion of reiterating our intention to give designs of ornaments for plasterers. There is a field of novelty and propriety open to them which we venture to say has scarcely yet been touched upon. Hitherto architectural ornament in plaster-work has been principally confined to imitations of marble, or stone-work and wood. Now this is a perversion and a deception, and a better principle will inevitably obtain, since just and sound views of the principles of design and ornament are beginning to be inculcated. So beautifully plastic a material has its own peculiar province in decoration, and we shall take occasion, as we advance, to throw out practical suggestions for ascertaining and working in it.

“SIR,

“It is with much satisfaction I have read the precursor of THE
BUILDER, which I think will be well received by all persons
in that line of business, for nothing can possibly be so much
wanted for the trade in general as a publication of the sort
you are about to send into the world. I have been a practical
plasterer these thirty years, and have often expressed a wish
that a useful intelligent paper might be published. I shall
be most happy to become a subscriber. I am fearful there will
be thousands read the Precursor, like myself, that will be
proud to subscribe, but will not take the trouble to express
themselves by letter, and then you may fancy it will not be
taken up with spirit, though I am convinced, by the many
persons, _indeed all_, that I have conversed with, that it is
their intention to become purchasers the moment it is fairly
out. Wishing you success,

“I am Sir, your obedient servant,

“B. J. MASKALL.”

We will insert two more of what we may term the professional, and conclude with a complimentary note, lately received, from a gentleman whom we have not the pleasure of knowing, and extracts from the first that came to hand, as proofs, along with a great number of others, of a deep interest being taken in THE BUILDER, as we predicted would be the case, by the amateur.

“SIR,

“You invite a reply from your readers of the ‘Builder’s
Magazine.’

“To make a newspaper answer, it must be numerously circulated.
I should advise to make it a _weekly paper_, to suit every
mechanic or person engaged in the trade. I should recommend
that it be like the _Illustrated London News_, to contain
sketches of works in progress, new buildings, amounts of
contracts, and other news relating to building. Also, to make
it general (for nearly every workman takes a weekly paper), it
must contain the heads of the news for the week. This would
answer, without doubt, and I should like my name as a weekly
subscriber.—Yours, &c.

“J. NESHAM.”

* * * * *

“SIR,

“I approve much the plan of your proposed publication, and
cheerfully offer myself a subscriber in whichever form it
may appear; but would prefer it as a weekly magazine and
advertiser, in which character I hope soon to see it, and
wishing it all possible success.

“I am, Sir, yours respectfully,

“THOMAS ALLEN.”

* * * * *

“SIR,

“I have only just had time to look into your valuable and most
interesting work, THE BUILDER, which I took up by accident
this morning. I am so convinced of its excellence, that I
should feel greatly obliged if you would allow me to become a
subscriber of the unstamped number, from the first, and supply
me regularly with it, if you are in the habit of sending it to
this neighbourhood.

“I am, Sir, &c.

“J. R. W.”

* * * * *

“SIR,

“Last Saturday evening I bought the precursor number of THE
BUILDER, and was so pleased with the contents, that I called
again at your office to say that I meant to take it in myself,
and that I had shewn it to a bookseller, who told me that he
also would order it at once for his shop. At that time I had
only taken a very cursory glance at the number, but on further
inspection, I feel convinced that it must have a very great
sale, and I am sure I heartily wish you every success. My
answer to your question, as to whether a magazine or simple
newspaper would be the better form of publication is this,—that
though many would prefer it as a magazine only, yet many more
would rather see the news of the week blended in its columns. I
am no artist, I am no mechanic, but I am a very great admirer
of architecture, particularly of country houses and rustic
cottages, churches, gardens, &c.

“I wish your new work was called ‘The Builder and Landscape
Gardener.’ Views of parks and garden grounds, &c., ornamented
with their castles, halls, cottages, &c., both of this and
other countries, are at all times highly instructive and
interesting.

“To the greatest talent is united in your work that kindly
feeling towards those who have to labour for their daily food
that will carry you on triumphantly. That your undertaking may
meet with a deserved and most abundant reward, is the sincere
hope of yours, &c.,

“M. B.”

The suggestion contained in the last extract, as to the title, is one upon which we are glad to make a few remarks, because the same suggestion has been embodied in the observations of other friends, in different ways.

We have confined ourselves to the simple term “Builder,” as best descriptive of all classes and crafts concerned in the art of building itself, and the arts with which it is intimately allied. Were we to attempt to give a title that should specifically explain the branches of art and science to be treated in this work, we should occupy half a page. Not only setting up houses or edifices, but, as we have said before, preparing the materials—aye, even to the very question of the planting and the culture of the oak and the pine, on which the future carpenter is to exercise his ingenuity. As to the brick-field, the quarry, the limekiln, the mine, the forest—consider what enters into the composition and completion of a building, what machines and implements are employed in working and preparing the materials, and its erection—what in the furnishing and fittings—what in the garden and other appurtenances. Consider all these, and you have engineering and machinery, cabinet-work and upholstery, and finally landscape art, included. And as to building science, or architecture, consider also its extensive range: the cottage, the middle-rate dwelling-house, the mansion, the villa, the palace—there is the labourer’s house of the country, and the labourer’s and workman’s house of the town; the farmer’s dwelling in the one, and the tradesman’s in the other—the farm-yard buildings and the corresponding workshop, warehouse, and factory—the country “box” and the citizen’s suburban retreat—the mansion of the country squire and that of the wealthy town merchant—the parsonage, the church—the humble village church!—the street of the pretty country village, the formal lines and gay shops of the crowded city—the traveller’s way-side inn, the town hotel—the petty sessions house, the county courts, prisons, workhouses, almshouses, asylums, barracks—the halls of our cities, the concert-rooms, the theatres, the great market-houses, the exchange for our merchants, the parliament-houses, the palace, the cathedral!

Our subterranean structures, in drains and tunnellings; our pavements and highways; our bridges, aqueducts, and viaducts; our railroads, our lighthouses, harbours, docks, ports, defences. Consider these, and we have not half exhausted the list—we dare not longer particularize—consider these, and the numerous crafts and callings engaged in them, and it will be at once seen that we should only weaken the force and destroy the comprehensiveness of our title, THE BUILDER, by any attempt to make it more comprehensive.

The following excellent letter has come to hand since the foregoing summary was penned:—

“SIR,

“The delight with which any one connected with the erection
of an edifice seizes a book or paper, bearing the title (THE
BUILDER) heading your new publication, can be duly appreciated
by those who have carefully studied the ‘Practical Builder,’ as
published by Mr. Peter Nicholson, in the enlarged edition of
1822.

“In the perusal of which the idea of a work similar to the one
shewn forth in the precursor number of THE BUILDER, has very
often engaged my most serious attention, leaving no doubt on my
mind of the very favourable reception the work would have from
all parties engaged in the Building department.

“Begin and continue on the broad principle of practical
utility, making most prominent, works already executed, or in
the course of erection, with a copious description, as also,
plans, elevations, sections, and details of the most prominent
features of the building or structure, illustrated, and the
work, from its great utility, will take a place amongst the
magazines of the present day, second only to the great magazine
of the north.[1]

“A large and beautiful field lies open before you, and by
bringing before the public some of the noble metropolitan
structures, the beautiful street architecture, and suburban
villas, you will create a love for reading and study amongst
a most important class, that will force THE BUILDER on, till
it has attained the ‘Corinthian order’ as a magazine, and the
companion of every artizan.

“A magazine has always occurred to me as the best mode to
bring the architecture of this country in its best form before
the public, always acknowledging the name of the professional
gentlemen employed in the erection illustrated; so much so,
that I have often been tempted to suggest the idea to some of
the London publishers, as there the erections are as a source
inexhaustible.

“Though THE BUILDER may be an instrument of much good, if
correctness of plans and details are guaranteed, its fall will
be as certain, if it should be a medium of ‘book-making,’ so
often seen thrown before the public.

“It will likewise add to the value of THE BUILDER, by
continuing the portraitures of men so eminent in architectural
skill as the noble-minded William of Wykeham, already
illustrated in the Precursor number.

“I would respectfully suggest the propriety of detaching the
advertisements from THE BUILDER, so far as to allow a separate
binding of the work.

“Reviews of architectural works are also highly commendable in
THE BUILDER, as they increase in quantity of late years; and a
guidance to purchasers therefore is valuable.

“With best wishes for the prosperity of the undertaking, in a
continual increasing circulation, I must beg the forwarding
to your correspondent here, such of the numbers as have been
issued.

“I remain, most respectfully,

“JOSEPH J. ROEBUCK, Joiner.”

“Manchester-Road, Huddersfield, Feb. 13, 1843.”

[1] Chambers’s.

* * * * *

“SIR,

“Judging from a perusal of THE BUILDER that it is your
intention to give to the building world the first information
upon all matters connected with its interests, I beg therefore
to apprize you that at this moment, a bill is preparing very
secretly (at least the ground-work for one) for Parliament,
upon which it is presumed, as secretly will be obtained, a New
Building Act.

“Whatever objections there may be (and I readily admit there
are many) to our present Building Act, yet I do not think it
requires altogether to be superseded.

“From private information I learn, that the majority of
clauses in the intended new bill, are exceedingly arbitrary,
and calculated only to oppress the Builders without the least
additional benefit to the public, and indeed, I am of opinion
that if adopted, it will prove a source of great inconvenience
and expense to all parties in any way connected with building.
I should, therefore, recommend a Meeting of speculative
Builders immediately, to take into consideration the best means
to oppose the bill in Parliament.

“I shall be most happy to give my best assistance in this
matter, as also to forward the views of the proprietor of THE
BUILDER.

“I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

“JOHN REID, Surveyor.”

“90, Canterbury-buildings, Lambeth,
“February 14th, 1843.”

The foregoing letter came to hand as we were going to press. We have only time to assure our correspondent that we will pay immediate attention to the subject it refers to, and we invite further information from all those who may be in the way of procuring it. At the same time we would urge a calm and steady purpose in the pursuit of this or any similar object of our vigilance.

Legislation on matters affecting building interests, above all things, should be deliberate and not capricious. Much mischief may be done by over anxious meddlings, indeed, we may say in this respect with Shakspeare in Hamlet,

“Better bear the ills we have than fly to others that we know
not of,”

or run the risk of so doing.

ON METAL WORKS.

(_From Pugin’s principles of Pointed Architecture._)

We now come to the consideration of works in metal; and I shall be able to shew that the same principles of suiting the design to the material and decorating construction, were strictly adhered to by the artists of the middle ages, in all their productions in metal, whether precious or common.

In the first place, hinges, locks, bolts, nails, &c., which are always _concealed in modern designs_, were rendered in Pointed Architecture, _rich and beautiful decorations_; and this, not only in the doors and fittings of buildings, but in cabinet and small articles of furniture. The early hinges covered the whole face of the door with varied and flowing scroll-work. Of this description are those of Notre Dame at Paris, St. Elizabeth’s church at Marburg, the western doors of Litchfield cathedral, the Chapter House at York, and hundreds of other churches, both in England and on the Continent.

Hinges of this kind are not only beautiful in design, but they are _practically good_. We all know that on the principle of a lever, a door may be easily torn off its modern hinges, by a strain applied at its outward edge. This could not be the case with the ancient hinges, which extended the whole width of the door, and were bolted through in various places. In barn doors and gates these hinges are still used, although devoid of any elegance of form; but they have been most religiously banished from all public edifices as unsightly, merely on account of our present race of artists not exercising the same ingenuity as those of ancient times, in rendering the _useful_ a vehicle for the beautiful. The same remarks will apply to locks which are now concealed, and let into the styles of doors, which are often more than half cut away to receive them.

A lock was a subject on which the ancient smiths delighted to exercise the utmost resources of their art. The locks of chests were generally of a most elaborate and beautiful description. A splendid example of an old lock still remains at Beddington Manor House, Surrey, and is engraved in my father’s work of examples. In churches we not unfrequently find locks with sacred subjects chased upon them, with the most ingenious mechanical contrivances to conceal the keyhole. Keys were also highly ornamented with appropriate decorations referring to the locks to which they belonged; and even the wards turned into beautiful devices and initial letters. Railings were not _casts of meagre stone tracery_, but elegant combinations of metal bars, adjusted with a due regard to strength and resistance.

There were many fine specimens of this style of railing round tombs, and Westminster Abbey was rich in such examples, but they were actually pulled down and sold for old iron by the order of the then dean, and even the exquisite scroll-work belonging to the tomb of Queen Eleanor was not respected. The iron screen of King Edward the Fourth’s tomb, at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, is a splendid example of ancient iron-work. The fire-dogs or Andirons, as they were called, which supported either the fuel-logs where wood was burnt, or grates for coal, were frequently of splendid design. The ornaments were generally heraldic, and it was not unusual to work the finer parts in brass, for relief of colour and richness of effect. These form a striking contrast with the inconsistencies of modern grates, which are not unfrequently made to represent diminutive fronts of castellated or ecclesiastical buildings with turrets, loopholes, windows, and doorways, all in the space of forty inches. The fender is a sort of embattled parapet, with a lodge-gate at each end; the end of the poker is a sharp pointed finial; and at the summit of the tongs is a saint. It is impossible to enumerate half the absurdities of modern metal-workers; but all these proceed from the false notion of _disguising_ instead of _beautifying_ articles of utility. How many objects of ordinary use are rendered monstrous and ridiculous because the artist, instead of seeking the _most convenient form and then decorating it_, has embodied some extravagancies _to conceal the real purpose for which the article was made_! If a clock is required it is not unusual to cast a Roman warrior in a flying chariot, round one of the wheels of which, on close inspection, the hours may be descried; or the whole of a cathedral church reduced to a few inches in height, with the clock-face occupying the position of a magnificent rose window. Surely the inventor of this patent clock-case could never have reflected that according to the scale on which the edifice was reduced, his clock would be about 200 feet in circumference, and that such a monster of a dial would crush the proportions of any building that could be raised. But this is nothing when compared to what we see continually produced from those inexhaustible mines of bad taste, Birmingham and Sheffield; staircase turrets for inkstands, monumental crosses for light shades, gable ends hung on handles for door porters, and four doorways and a cluster of pillars to support a French lamp; while a pair of _pinnacles_ supporting an arch is called a Gothic-pattern scraper, and a wiry compound of quatrefoils and fan tracery an abbey garden seat. Neither relative scale, form, purpose, nor unity of style, is ever considered by those who design these abominations; if they only introduce a quatrefoil or an acute arch, be the outline and style of the article ever so modern and debased, it is at once denominated and sold as Gothic.

SUSPENSION ROOF.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE BUILDER.

SIR—I have introduced the suspension principle in two or three instances with great success, where nothing else could have answered the purpose; and as it was through you that the first impression was made upon my mind of its practicability for building purposes, I at once send you a rude sketch of the last one I have used. It is to carry a roof, lead-flat, and ceiling; it is in connection with the old mansion, an enlargement of the cooking kitchen, taking out the whole of the end wall, 16 feet wide, and making or adding to the same a large bow, which is covered with lead. I have marked the different parts as follows:

A. Suspension-rods secured to walls, 1 inch round, iron, flat in the walls.

B. Screw bolts, 1 inch round, iron.

C. Nuts at bottom of bolts, and brace.

D. Brace, ½ inch round, iron.

E. Head to brace.

F. Iron plate under wood plate, 3 inches by ½ inch, flat.

G. Wood plate, 3 inches thick.

H. Lead-flat.

I. Joists to ditto.

J. Ceiling-joists.

K. Principal beam of roof.

I must give you to understand the bow, lead-flats, &c., were done before I came here, and supported in a manner that gave offence to every one; you will now perceive there is a straight ceiling and no obstruction to light or any thing else.

The suspension-rods are fixed to the bolts as the link of a chain, the brace screws them tight together, and the bottom nuts screw up and camber the plate, which renders the whole complete and very strong. I had it put together and fixed in about two hours, so that you will perceive it can be applied in any situation without doing any damage, by merely boring the holes and making good the joint round the bolts on either a floor, roof, or flat.

I have applied others in different places, and have made them as circumstances required, to carry scores of tons weight. They have given the greatest satisfaction possible to all concerned.

I am happy to inform you that our architect and the master-builder will both be subscribers to your valuable work. I think from this neighbourhood you will have a dozen names.

Yours most obediently,

T. P. HOPE,
Clerk of Works, Richmond.

THE ENTHUSIAST.

We beg to introduce the Enthusiast to our readers, for such the world is pleased now and then to call him; his real character, however, shall be judged of by the reflecting and considerate; the name may stick to him as a matter of small account, for a wiser man than ourselves has said “there’s nothing in a name.”

When we speak of the reflecting and considerate, it is not to be implied that all persons do not at times and in their way reflect and consider; but it is hard to do so while we are involved in the business of ordinary life; like players at cards, we are absorbed in the calculations that affect them, and in the consideration of the “hand” we hold. We find even the most skilful, straining to recollect himself of the past progress, and speculating on the future chances of the game—so it is with the mass of human beings. Could we look but on as cool spectators of the games, and shifts, and moves of general life, we should pity, smile, expostulate, reprove, where now at best we give a vacant look, an unmeaning sigh, rage and burn, as in turns we feel the instinct of weakness or passion, and are driven to act under their impulses—but we are drawing the portrait of the multitude, and losing sight of the Enthusiast.

How shall we catch his likeness and how present it to our readers? It must be drawn with many lines and a patient hand. We are not limners, or choose not to be, who cut out profiles in black, with a pair of scissors; nor can we daguerrotype him at a glance. No! The Enthusiast must be the subject of many sittings, though we may give a complete feature or, sketch at each of his aspect for the day; and in doing so, we promise ourselves what we hope will be largely shared in by our readers, a fair amount of interest and gratification.

Enthusiast has some eccentricities, or to speak more plainly, has his oddities. Tell him so however, tell him as a friend, and he is enthusiastic to rid himself of his oddities. He has friends who now and then tell him so; he has enemies who also take the same liberty; but it is ten to one, if you examine it, that both friends and enemies, in specifying some particular oddity, confront and contradict each other, and leave the poor Enthusiast not wiser, but more perplexed, between them. Indeed, so much do they themselves blunder, and so much of guess-work is there in their opinions, that to give things their right names, judging from effects, we should call the friend an enemy, and the enemy a friend. The only conclusion we can come to is by canvassing the motives of each, to decide that the well-meaning and evil-doing are ranged on the one side, and the evil-meaning and well-doing on the other. So odd are many things and many persons besides Enthusiast; but we are again sketching from the crowd, and Enthusiast sits impatient, or rather his friends are impatient, which with them is much the same thing.

Enthusiast is an architect! Upon my word, some one will exclaim, what is coming to us now-a-days?—architects and architecture are obtruded upon us at every turn; and a certain lady of a certain age (which means, as everybody knows, no very large portion of a century) indignantly expostulates against this attempt to engross the public mind and attention with these “new fanglements” of a profession and an art which her father and grandfather’s days could very well do without. “Formerly,” she says (which means about the ancient period of her youth), “we hardly heard the mention of such things. Architects, indeed! formerly the word even was scarcely so much as known among us. I recollect,” says she, “having my attention forced upon it somewhere in my school readings, in some out of the way chapter or exercise, which poor Mrs. Cross-stitch imposed on me at the ‘finishing’ of my education. I recollect reading something about architecture, and how I mispronounced the word, and how Mrs. Letterhead, our class mistress, told me to pronounce the ch like k; and how she gave us a spelling task with that and several other hard words to learn at home in the evening, and how my poor father, when he _heard me_ my task at my bed-time, had a dispute with our neighbour, Percy Fullpurse, as to which was the greater personage, the archdeacon or the architect; for they both insisted that Miss Letterhead was wrong in her _pronounciation_, as Percy had it; and how Percy, who was a great authority with us, for we thought riches and wisdom went very much together, decided that the archdeacon and the architect had nothing to do with each other, but that the architect was something he could not exactly tell what or how, but he believed had something to do with the quarter of the Archipelago, with which also he had nothing to do. All this I recollect, and certainly, though I may now smile at the ignorance of my poor father and neighbour Percy, yet I am not bound to hold with all that we are hearing and having dinned into our ears every day. Almost every third person I meet with has some friend or friend’s friend who is an architect, or is acquainted with an architect—and I meet with them at parties; and there is Cousin Symmetry has placed his son by his first wife as pupil to an architect; but what call can there be, or what to do for so many architects? Architects, like Proctors, should keep their places, and some two or three of them inhabit a cathedral town, to take care of those fine old buildings and the churches, for the churchwardens, they say, do not look to those things properly; but, Lord bless us, do not let us be bored with architecture at every turn. Let them have a bookseller specially to themselves, if they will—and now I think of it, I recollect something of an old established shop in that way somewhere in Holborn; but here I see Messrs. Longman are publishing works on architecture, and Mr. Tilt pushing them before one’s noses, and Bell & Wood, and others, as the advertisements tell us. Nay, to crown all! there is that very Boz, in his new work, _Martin Chuzzlewit_, beginning with an architect, which, by the way, proves what I have always said, that he is wearing out his subjects—and mind what I say again, it will break down! He should take popular characters and popular subjects; but an architect! Why, not one in a thousand knows or cares any thing about architects. Trash! and now just do look at this—a weekly paper, called THE BUILDER! and another character to be drawn out—an Enthusiast, who is also an architect! Well, upon my word, that is good! We have heard of castles in the air; I suppose we are going to have a builder of them, and that this Enthusiast is to be the architect. Well, that is as it should be—the clouds for the architects, and the architects for the clouds.”

But when shall we sit down to our business?—Miss Fatima Five-and-forty has had the turn of our pencil, and Enthusiast still awaits its return.

Enthusiast is an architect; that is, he is so for this limning; for Enthusiast enters into most things, and is the life and soul of them. We cannot go into his parentage, to shew how he is allied to, or of the family of, the Geniuses; but really it is a difficult task this sketching that we have undertaken, and reminds us of one of George Cruikshank’s humours, under the head of “Ugly Customers;” not that we are so much out of love with our subject as with the task we have undertaken.

Do excuse us, good readers, for a while longer, and we will tell you a story about this same Enthusiast. It is a trick of some of our contemporary painters, to beguile the sitter by a conversation on some topic which throws him from the restraint of posture-making; perhaps if we try it, Enthusiast may be caught in a more favourable attitude, and we may close the day with some success for our hitherto failing and disappointed pencil.

Enthusiast was one day engaged in a discussion with a lady friend, and had, in the usual warmth of his manner, been descanting on the beauties and properties of Church Architecture in connection with the proposed erection of a suitable structure of this class in a wealthy manufacturing town. “It should be a cathedral,” said he, “at least in dimension, in aspect, in decorations and appointments.” He had dwelt on the peculiar features it should possess, on the facilities that could be commanded, on the energies that ought to be exerted, and so on, when he was cut short in his rhapsody by the cruel observation of the lady,—and a common one it is,—“There is no money for such things now-a-days.”