Sloan's constructive architecture; a guide to the practical builder and mechanic. In which is contained a series of designs for domes, roofs and spires ..

Front matter

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Preface

The idea of publishing a practical work on Constructive Architecture suggested itself to the author while engaged in the preparation of the material for a large volume of architectural designs. The suggestion was natural. It might well be supposed that, while works on every other branch of science were teeming from the press, a volume specially designed to meet the wants of the practical builder or mechanic would prove no less seasonable than useful.

Few works of this character have hitherto been published in this country — and still fewer are pos¬ sessed of any considerable degree of merit. We have been generally accustomed to consider foreign publi¬ cations as our standards ; and these, though possessing many things valuable in themselves, are yet not well adapted — as they were not designed — -to elucidate methods of practice which are, to a considerable extent, local and peculiar. In fact, owing to the spirit of improvement and invention which has of late characterized this branch of mechanics among us, many eveD of the terms in general acceptance a few short years ago have become obsolete, while numerous little methods and appliances are in every-day use, of which no mention can be found in the most recent of European authorities.

It will be seen that, in the classification of our subjects, we have aimed at preserving some degree of systematic arrangement. Commencing with domes, we have presented in natural succession numerous examples of forms generally esteemed the most useful in Constructive Carpentry. These are original and eminently practical. There has been no straining after effect. Everything presented has been selected and illustrated solely on account of its practicability and intrinsic usefulness. Our numerous roof examples are of simple yet reliable construction and tested capability. The examples in Joinery, which succeed, contain and are suggestive of many new ideas. And to the illustration of those beautiful and unique creations of the ancients — the Five Orders — on which all that pertains to the builder’s art is founded, we have devoted much more space than is usually given in works of similar character and pretension. Fully impressed with the importance of this subject to all connected with or engaged in the art of building, we have chosen our examples from the most celebrated and beautiful specimens of antiquity, and presented them, we trust, in a style of art commensurate with the interest they possess, and the intrinsic beauty of their several proportions.

Nor has the consideration of the more important parts of geometrical construction, as applied to building, been neglected. While we have omitted many of the comparatively useless problems with which works of this description usually abound, we have yet been careful to present such examples as were in themselves important and really serviceable. We may instance, among these, the plates of groins and centering, and the carefully prepared diagrams of stair-lines, which will be found extremely valuable. Our work concludes with some choice examples of architraves, moulded panelings for doors, etc., specially

PREFACE.

designed and adapted for the Joiner’s use. Of the whole of our examples, it may be remarked, that they are not only practical in themselves, but highly suggestive of ideas — as to new forms and combina¬ tions — to the artisan who peruses them with careful study.

In the arrangement of the text, we have, in every instance, for the convenience of the reader, placed the plate opposite the appropriate description, thus obviating an annoyance often experienced in illus¬ trated publications, when the example is separated from its relevant matter. To such general information as we deemed would prove interesting, in connection with the several subjects of which we treated, and be likely still further to illustrate them, we have uniformly devoted a certain portion of our space. Thus interspersed with the descriptions — and yet in such a manner as to render it distinct in its own particular arrangement — will be found much valuable matter, culled from the works of the most eminent masters, in addition to the information bearing directly upon the subject-matter, which the experience gathered in the course of a long and extensive professional practice has supplied.

Our work would be incomplete without a Glossary — that which is appended will be found useful and compendious.

We have long been aware of the urgent necessity which existed for a work of this character; and our aim in the present volume has been to place within the reach of every mechanic the more advanced principles of his art. These principles are illustrated by practical examples. At the same time, a careful study of the details of classic design, as exhibited in the Orders, will teach him by com¬ parison to form a correct idea of the general proportions necessai’y to be observed in any proposed work, while an attentive perusal of the different geometrical and isometrical drawings will enable him to comprehend the best method of applying material in the more difficult parts of mechanical construction.

The illustrations may be safely left to speak their own merits : one word in regard to them and we have done. They have been prepared at considerable expense, and in a manner calculated to afford satisfaction, and are referred to with some little degree of pride and pleasure, as evidencing the rapid progress which our country is making in this important and beautiful department of the fine arts.