Preparing and fixing deal bar balusters, each 056 Preparing and fixing deal bar balusters, dovetailed to steps Every half rail is measured two-thirds of a whole one; and all rails are measured 3 inches beyond the springing of every wreath or circular part. All cylinders used in rails, glued up in thicknesses, to be paid for extra. The following have not been before computed: FRENCH CASEMENT FRAMES. Plain solid frames, oak sunk sills, weathered and throated for 1 inch French casements, quarters not exceeding 4 by 3 per foot super. fixed 043 Ditto, for 2-inch French casements, quarters 4 by 4 Deal-cased frames, oak sunk sills, with wainscot stiles and 057 Deal cased frames, oak sunk sills, 1-inch ovolo sashes, single per foot super. 086 •100 Ditto, double hung, circular head, measured square 257 Ditto, circular on plan, flat sweep Deal cased frames, oak sunk sills, 2-inch ovolo sashes, single hung, •143 •100 •107 Ditto, double hung, circular head, measured square •272 •157 +770 Deal cased frames, oak sunk sills, wainscot pulley pieces and beads, 14-inch wainscot astragal sashes, brass axle pulleys, single hung with patent lines 121 Ditto, double hung ∙143 Deal cased frames, oak sunk sills, wainscoat pulley pieces and beads, 14-inch wainscot astragal sashes, brass axle pulleys with patent lines, circular on plan, flat sweep 172 Circular circular head, inch to the foot ⚫866 Deal cased frames, oak sunk sills, wainscot pulley pieces and beads, 2-inch wainscot astragal sashes, brass axle pulleys, double hung with patent lines 143 Ditto, circular head, measured square *942 Ditto, circular on plan, flat sweep 214 Circular circular head, inch to the foot •909 Deal cased frames, oak sunk sills, mahogany pulley pieces and beads, 14-inch Spanish mahogany astragal sashes, brass pulleys and patent lines, single hung •157 Ditto, double hung 171 Ditto, circular head, measured square Ditto, circular on plan, flat sweep Circular circular head, inch to the foot Deal cased frames, oak sunk sills, mahogany pulley pieces and +371 257 -98 brass pulleys, double hung with best flax line and iron weights, per foot super. 111 Ditto, with 2-inch sashes ⚫129 Ditto, circular on plan, flat sweep •172 Palladian head, measured square 286 Circular Palladian head, measured square *866 2369. We have now enumerated the principal articles of joinery in use. If further in formation be sought, and the reader have not the means of tracing the value in the way by which the constants already given have been obtained, he may refer to some of the price books, whereof we consider Skyring's to be as well digested as any of those that are annually published. 2370. SLATER. The work of the slater is measured and estimated by the square of 100 feet superficial. Of the different sorts of slate, and how much a given quantity of each will cover, we have already spoken in Chap. II. Sect. IX. (1798, et seq.) To measure slating, in addition to the nett measure of the work, 6 inches are allowed for all the eaves, and 4 inches by their length for hips; such allowance being made in the first-named case because the slates are there double, and in the latter case for the waste in cutting away the sides of the slates to fit. When rags or imperial slates are used an additional allowance of 9 inches is made for the eaves, because those slates run larger than the other sorts. 2371. MASON. Solid works, such as pilasters, cornices, coping, stringings, and other solid works, should be first measured to ascertain the cubic quantity of stone they contain as going from the banker to the building; and on this, work, as it may happen to be the plain work, sunk work, moulded or circular work, must be measured in superficial feet and separately valued. It is usual to allow a plain face to each joint, but no more than one should be taken to a 3-feet length. In staircases the flyers should be taken where splayed on the back, their full length and width by three fifths of the depth of the riser, to allow for waste in getting two of the steps from the same block of stone. The measurement for the winders seems to be most properly conducted by ascertaining the nett cubic contents of them, and then making the allowance for waste. Indeed this is a more proper and satisfactory mode for the flyers. The top of the treads are then taken on the superficies as plain work, and the fronts and ends of the risers as moulded work. In an open staircase, the under side of the flyers is measured as plain work; the under side of the winders as circular plain work; the rebates, cuttings out, pinnings in, &c., as they are found. Cylindrical work, such as of columns, after the cube quantity is ascertained, is measured as equal to plain work twice taken. In Portland dressings to chimneys, where-. ever edges appear, it is customary to add an inch to the dimensions for extra labour; to marble, of an inch; or to take the running dimensions of the edges. 2372. Paving slabs and stones under 2 inches thick are taken by superficial measure. Cornices are measured by obtaining their girt, and multiplying by their length for the quantity of moulded work in them. 2373. The following are a few constants of the chief articles of labour in mason's work, applicable, as before mentioned, in the carpenter's and joiner's works. 2374. FOUNDER. The proper mode of estimating cast iron is by the ton or cwt. Moulds for the castings, when out of the common course, are charged extra. Very often, too, cast iron pipes and gutters are, according to their sizes, charged by the yard. (See 1754, et seq.) 2375. SMITH and IRONMONGER. Wrought iron for chimney bars, iron ties, screw bolts, balusters with straps, area gratings, handrails and balusters, hook-and-eye hinges, brackets for shelves, chains for posts, wrought iron columns with caps and bases, fancy iron railing, casements, shutterbars, and the like, are charged by the pound, at various prices, according to the nature of the work. In the ironmonger's department nails and brads are charged by the hundred, though sold by weight, seldom exceeding 900 to the 1000. Screws, which take their names from their length, are charged by the dozen. Cast, and also wrought butts and screws, cast and wrought back flaps, butts and screws, side or hinges, with screws, by the pair. All sorts of bolts with screws, of which the round part of the bolt determines the length, by the inch. hinges and cross garnet hinges, by the pair. Other hinges and screws by the piece. Locks by the piece. Pulleys according to their diameters. On all ironmongery 20 per cent, is charged on the prime cost. (See 2253, et seq.) 2376. PLASTERER. The work of the plasterer is measured, generally, by the yard. The most usual way of measuring stucco partitions and walls is, to take the height from the upper edge of the ground to half way up the cornice, the extra price of the stucco making good for the deficiency of floated work under it. In ceilings and other work, the surface under the cornice is often taken, because there is no deficiency but in the setting, and that is compensated for by the labour in making good. Cornices are measured by the foot, and estimated according to the quantity of mouldings and enrichments they contain. Where there are more than four angles in a room, each extra one is charged at the price per foot run extra of the cornice. Stucco reveals are charged per foot run, and according to their width of 4 or 9 inches or more. Quirks, arrisses, and beads by the foot run, as are margins to raised panels, small plain mouldings, &c. In the case of enriched cornices and mouldings, and flowers to ceilings, they must be considered with reference to the size and quantity of ornament. For these, the papier maché ornaments, (see 2251.) which are much lighter, are coming now into very general use, and from the ease and security with which they are fixed, will, we have no doubt, within no very distant period, supersede all use of plaster ornaments. In subsection 2248 will be found some information useful in the investigation of the value of plasterers' work, and which might form the basis for a set of constants under that head. But we have not been able to obtain sufficient data for carrying them completely out; which, from the minor importance of this branch of building, is perhaps of no very great consequence. 2377. PLUMBER. The work of this artificer is charged by the cwt., to which is added the labour of laying the lead. Water pipes, rain-water pipes, and funnel pipes are charged by the foot, according to their diameter; so also are socket pipes for sinks, joints being separately paid for. Common lead pumps, with iron work, including bucket, sucker, &c., at so much each; the same with hydraulic and other pumps, according to their diameters. In the same manner are charged water-closets, basins, air traps, washers and plugs, spindle valves, stop-cocks, ball-cocks, &c. (See 2212, et seq.) 2378. GLAZIER. The work of the glazier is measured and estimated by the superficial foot, according to the quality of the glass used; it is always measured between the rebates. (See 2225, et seq.) 2379. PAINTER. In the measurement and estimation of painting, the superficial quantity is taken, allowing all edges, sinkings, and girths as they appear. When work is cut in on both edges it is taken by the foot run. The quantity of feet is reduced to yards, by which painting is charged for large quantities. In taking iron railing the two sides are measured as flat work; but if it be full of ornament, once and a half, or twice, is taken for each side. Sash frames are taken each, and sash squares by the dozen. On gilding we have already spoken in Sect. XII. (2267, et seq.) Cornices, reveals to windows and doors, strings, window sills, water trunks and gutters, handrails, newels, &c., are taken by the foot run. Many small articles by the piece. Plain and enriched cornices by the foot run, according to the quantity of work in them. Work done from a ladder is paid for extra. The price depends on the number of times over that the work is painted; and the labour is usually considered as one third of the price charged. Imitations of woods and marbles are also charged extra. 2380. PAPERHANGER. In common papers the price varies according to the colours or quantity of blocks used in printing the pattern. Embossed and other papers are of higher prices. These, as well as lining paper, are charged by the piece, containing 63 feet super. The hanging is charged separate, and borders, mouldings, &c. by the yard run. (See 2278.) CHAP. IV. MEDIUM OF EXPRESSION. SECT. I. DRAWING IN GENERAL. 2381. Under this section it is not our intention to enter into the refinements of the art, but merely to make the attempt of directing the student to the first principles of a faithful representation of ordinary and familiar objects, with all their imperfections; or, in other words, of transferring to a plane surface what the artist actually sees or conceives in his mind. This power is of vital importance to the architect, and without it he is unworthy the name. 2382. The usual mode of teaching drawing now in use is, as we conceive, among the most absurd and extravagant methods of imparting instruction that can be well conceived. The learner is usually first put to copying drawings or prints, on which he is occupied for a considerable time. Much more would he learn, and much more quickly, by following the course which the following lines will prescribe. Outline is the foundation of all drawing; the alphabet of graphic art. As soon as the student has attained the use of the pencil and the pen in drawing purely geometrical figures, he is prepared to receive the rudiments of perspective. As shown in the following section, the representations of all geometrical solids is dependent upon mechanical means; and these may, if it be desirable, be shadowed truly by the methods given in Sect. III.; but what is now called free-hand drawing is the matter for our present consideration. 2383. Outline, as we have stated above, is the foundation of all drawing, the alphabet of graphic art. Every representation of an object, or series of objects, however complicated, is in reality but a set of outlines composed of straight or curved lines. The knowledge, or rather the power of forming these lines, is essential to the student, and in the same manner that he was obliged to form pothooks and hangers before he proceeded to ellipses when he was taught to write, he should begin his study of free-hand drawing by practising himself in the production of straight lines, proceeding to segments, and then to curves of contrary flexure. It is a good plan to compare the copy with the pattern; and, inasmuch as all formal diagrams that are set as patterns should be perfect, it is desirable that the standards for straight lines, segments, and contrary flexures should be drawn by the teacher himself from rulers; these rulers can be subsequently applied to the copies, and are sometimes the only evidence upon which to make a mutinous pupil conscious of his errors. The student ought not to proceed to the elliptical and oval forms until the hand, first turning one way, can draw a tolerably correct circle; and then, turning in the other direction, can make another equally good. The next step will be to acquire the power of drawing spiral lines in one direction, and of repeating them in another; which will be followed by that of drawing lines either parallel or slowly approximating. 2383a. After this, the student is sufficiently advanced to attempt to repeat all these stages with copies of a size larger or less than the patterns; and he will be ready to learn the mechanical use of chalk. This branch of his tuition needs only such examples as the prints, which have been prepared for that purpose, of purely geometrical forms: in this stage the rudiments of shadow are implanted, and the use of the brush may be acquired. 23836. The student will then be ready to learn the mode of obtaining local colour, and of blending his materials so as to obtain tints and shades of the different colours. The next steps would be to draw in chalk, in ink, or in colour, the simplest architectural ornaments, such as a chevron or an ovolo; and to proceed through a course of architectural foliage from prints. The result of such training is usually a confidence in the eye; and, what is sometimes highly important, a judgment so sound as to be able to reproduce any part of a subject that may have been destroyed. 2383c. Aptitude of the pupil must be a consideration, but in general a year of steady application may be sufficient so to imbue the mind with the grammar of architectural ornament, as to enable the hand to represent it; after which the student ought to be capable of inventing for himself. Indeed, it is only by such a course that originality in designing ornament can be obtained. The study of natural foliage, first as seen, and then as conventionalized, may be carried out at the same time. |