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Preface.
IN submitting the present Volume to the Public, we have to offer our grateful acknowledgments for the very 
favourable reception which the previous work on Carpentry and Joinery* has met with, and we feel much gratified in
having been, in an eminent degree, successful in our endeavours to unfold and elucidate the scientific Principles 
and Practical Application of those Arts which have the object of employing Wood in the construction of Buildings: 
we now proceed to develop, in a similar manner, the scientific Principles and Practice of the Arts of Construction,
using other materials, and particularly the important Arts of Masonry and Bricklaying, and also the Ornamental Art 
of Plastering.

Our plan consists in separately treating the Arts of Construction, and elucidating them by grouping together those 
principal branches which have a natural relation to each other, and which require similar operations, and in which a
workman in the one always has an advantage in knowing the principles of the others; and we are the more 
powerfully encouraged to proceed in it, by the knowledge that this plan is as new as it will be found useful, and we 
trust the Work itself will bear the palm, as well for originality and beauty, as for its practical utility.

The nature of our Work will be more fully understood from the following short sketch of its plan. First, we begin with
a Treatise on Masonry, in which is given a complete System of Lines for Stone Cutting, in all its branches; as for 
instance. Arches, Niches, Domes, Plain and Gothic Groins, Mouldings, etc. Next we treat of the qualities of Building 
Stones, the nature and composition of Mortars and Cements, and the principles of constructing Foundations, 
Walls, Bridges, Domes, Tunnels, Light-houses, etc.

Secondly, a Treatise on Bricklaying is introduced, showing the nature and qualities of Bricks, Tiles, etc. The 
Theory of Brick-bond and the construction of Arches, Groins, etc.; also the best methods of building Ovens, 
Furnaces, and Fire-places in general, etc.

Thirdly, a Treatise on Plastering, describing the composition of the materials, and their application in both Plain 
and Ornamental work, with specimens of Ornaments, in the various styles that have been adopted in that 
department at various periods.

Fourthly, of Slating, in which the various qualities of Slates are fully explained, and also the most perfect method of
applying them as a covering for buildings.

Fifthly, of Plumbing, Painting, and Glazing, with a full description of the qualities of the materials, and the most 
approved methods of applying them: the whole forming a valuable mass of practical information peculiarly 
calculated to direct and assist the workmen in all these branches of the Building Art. A Glossary of the peculiar 
Technical Terms applicable to each Department, is placed at the close of each division, in which an explanation is 
given of those objects which require it, and references to where they are treated of in the body of the work, by 
which means a greater facility will be obtained in consulting the work.

The examples in the Plates are engraved in the best style, and are chiefly selected from the most approved works,
already executed by the following distinguished Architects and Civil Engineers, viz. Messrs. Wyattville, Soane, 
Rennie, Telford, Brunei, Perronet, etc. etc., as we are persuaded that such designs will be found superior to any of
our own. Our sole object and endeavours in the prosecution of these Works, have been to combine Theory with 
actual Practice, and to render both familiar and easy.


CONTENTS

BOOK I.— MASONRY.
Introduction.—Masonry practically considered. The application of the Art in ancient times, compared with the 
modern use
Chapter I.—Of the Description of Arches. 
	Parabolic Arch; Elliptical Arch; method of drawing the joints; to draw a tangent to a semi-elliptic Arch, 
	the axis major being horizontal. Of the Cyclograph
Chapter II.—Stone Cutting. 
	To form a plane surface; Winding Surfaces; Angles formed by plane surfaces; Of the 
	construction of semi-circular right arch; Of the forms produced by the intersection of Arches,; 
	Elliptical Arch, with splayed jambs; To find the joints of an oblique Arch; To find the joints of an
	oblique circular Arch; Oblique Arch; A semi-circular arched Passage, between two semi-circular 
	arched Vaults; An Archway revealed and splayed, etc.; Of spherical Vaults, or Domes and 
	Niches; Of ribbed Groined Vaults. Raking Mouldings; Of the Materials employed in Masonry;
	Of Mortars and Cements 
Chapter III.—Of the Construction of Foundations
Chapter IV.—Of the Construction of Walls
	Of Wharf, Dock, and Revetment Walls
Chapter V.—Of the Construction of Bridges, etc.
	Theory of Bridges; Illustration of the Principles of Bridges
Chapter VI.—Of the Construction of Domes, Groins, and Spires
	Theory of Domes; Of Groined Vaulting; Of the Construction of Spires
Chapter VII.—Of the Construction of Light-houses
	The Eddystone Light-house; The Bell Rock Light-house
Chapter VIII.—Ornamental Masonry
	Appendix to Ornamental Masonry; Description of Plates
Chapter IX.—Valuation of Masons' Work
	Explanation of Terms, and Description of Tools used in Masonry

BOOK II.—BRICKLAYING.
Introduction.—Nature and Properties of various kinds of Bricks
Chapter I.—On the Nature and Properties of Brick-bond
	On English and Flemish Bond
Chapter II.—On the Construction of Walls
	Choice of Materials for the Foundations of Walls; Prison Walls
Chapter III. — On the Construction of Arches for Cylindrical Vaults
Chapter IV.—On the Construction of Vaults for Warehouses and Cellars
	Introductory Principles and Observations; The Principles of Brick Vaulting, as in common Groins Ill; The
	Principles of Brick Vaulting, as in the London Docks; The Principles of Brick Vaulting, as in St. 
	Catherine's Docks
Chapter IV.—The Principles of Brick Vaulting, as under the Hall of Christ's Hospital
	Principles of Brick Vaulting, similar to that described by Mr. Tappen
Chapter V.—On the Construction of Brick Niches
	On the Construction of Tunnels and Drains; Description of the Tunnel at the Regent's Canal;
	Tunnel under the Thames from Rotherhithe to Wapping; Various other Designs for the sections of 
	Tunnels, Sewers, Culverts, and Drains
Chapter VII.—On the Construction of Ovens, Boiler Fire-places, and of the setting of Coppers
	Of Boiler Fire-places; On the Method of fixing a Copper Boiler for Brewing
Chapter VIII.—Setting Retorts, as particularly applicable to Gas Works
	Method of setting a Bench of five Retorts; On Fire Bricks, etc.; Coke Oven Plan; Improved Method of
	setting five Retors in an Oven; Safety Plugs; Retort Furnaces; Chimnies for Gas Works
Chapter IX.—On Furnaces for the Fusion of Metal
	On the Proportions of Air Furnaces; On the Nature and Properties of Reverberating Furnaces;
	On the Method of Constructing a Watch Dial Plate and Enameler's Furnace; On the Properties and 
	Construction of Blast Furnaces; On the Construction of Fire-places for Warming Rooms in Dwelling 
	Houses
Chapter X.—An Explanation of the Terms and Description of Tools used in Bricklaying

BOOK III.—PLASTERING.
Introduction
Chapter I.—Of the Gothic style of Ornament
	Of the Elizabethan style of Ornament; Of the old English style of Ornament; Of the Roman style of 
	Ornament; Of the Grecian style of Ornament; Of the French style of Ornament
Chapter II.—Of the Materials and Compositions used in Internal Finishing
	Manner of forming Columns or Pilasters in Scagliola
Chapter III.—Of External Compositions
	Roman Cement; Terra Cotta, and various Methods of using it; Mastic; manner of using it for various 
	purposes
Chapter IV.—Operations and Modes of performing them
	Plain and Ornamental Cornices; Plain Straight Cornices; Circular and Elliptical Cornices; Mouldings 
	belonging to Groined Ceilings, commonly called Ribs; Intersections which terminate either on Corbels,
	or on the Capitals of Columns; Enriched or Ornamented Cornices; Grecian Cornices; Roman 
	Cornices; Gothic Cornices
Chapter IV.—French Cornices
	Working Ornament by hand; Modelling; Moulding Ornaments; Moulding in Plaster; Casting in Plaster;
	Fixing Ornaments
Chapter V.—Description of the Plates of Ornament belonging to Plastering
Chapter VI.—An Explanation of the Terms and Description of the Tools used in Plastering

BOOK IV.—SLATING.
	Description of Slates and their Qualities
	Description of the various parts of Slates
	Various Methods of combining them considered
	The best Method of fastening and laying them
	Explanation of the Principles and Practice of Slating
	The kind of Slates to be used
	Comparison in weight of the sundry Coverings employed on Roofs
	The Slaters' Tools
	Valuation of Slaters' Work
	Explanation of the Terms used in Slating

BOOK V.—PLUMBING, PAINTING, AND GLAZING.
Chapter I.—Plumbery or Plumbing
	On the Properties of Lead; On casting Sheet Lead; On casting Lead Pipes; Laying of Sheet Lead;
	On various Pumps; Terms used in Plumbing, and Description of Tools
Chapter II.—House Painting
	The economical application of Paint; Nature and Properties of White Lead; Of Linseed Oil and 
	Spirits of Turpentine; Of various Dryers; Putty; The best Modes of executing Painting; Of Painting 
	Stucco; On the Colours used in Painting; On Painting in Distemper; Graining
Chapter III.—Glazing.
	On the Antiquity of Glass; The nature of Modern Glazing; Glazing in Lead Work; On the various kinds
	of Glass used in Glazing; On valuing Glaziers' Work; On the Instruments for Cutting Glass; Charges 
	for Cleaning Windows; On the mode of Measuring Glaziers' Work

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