“THE BUILDER.”

THE BUILDER.—This Journal will be exclusively devoted to the interests of Builders, by which term must be understood all that numerous and wealthy portion of persons connected directly or indirectly with Building. It will partake of the character of a Trade Journal or Magazine, and also fulfil the objects of a Weekly Newspaper, by giving a faithful and impartial abstract of the News of the Week. The Conductors will not discuss the question of general Politics, nor will they enter upon Political disquisition at all, unless any measure should be proposed affecting the class whose interests they will always support and defend. Upon such occasions, and upon such occasions only, will their paper be political. It will be of no party, unless, indeed, the advocating the true interests of all classes connected with the Building Business, from the Labourer to the Architect, can be so considered. A portion of

“THE BUILDER”

will be occupied by Essays on the Building and Furnishing Arts in all their various and numerous branches. It will contain the designs of Ancient Buildings and Works, and of those of our own day—not mere pictures or views from which nothing is to be learnt, but plans, sections, &c., which, while they will be rendered perfectly intelligible to workmen of ordinary information, it is hoped will not be below the notice of the Architect and the Amateur.

When we consider how numerous and important is the class to whose interests this Journal is dedicated; a class of British Artisans numbering at least half a million; a class whose trade-education distinguishes them in intellect, knowledge, and wealth, it can only form matter of surprise, that while the Clerical, Medical, Legal, Military, and Naval, the Artists and Literati, and other classes have their public organs of opinion and information; while the Gardeners and Agriculturists, Railway and Commercial and Banking Companies have each their mouth-piece and record; the religious sects, and all Politicians their special advocates that this most numerous, most intelligent, and most wealthy, should have so long remained without this bond of the Press; to instruct and inform, to disseminate knowledge as to discoveries and inventions, to advertise wants, and form for it a general nucleus of strength, light, and union.

Amongst the Tradesmen, Manufacturers, &c. who are particularly interested in

“THE BUILDER,”

both as a medium for obtaining information, and for Advertising their own productions and requirements, we may enumerate the following:—

The following presents a list, taken from the census of 1831, of the building and connected classes in Great Britain only, and of these only the male adults of 20 years old and upwards:—

Architects and Engineers—No number given.
Agents—None given.
Auctioneers 2,823
Bricklayers 29,653
Brickmakers 10,184
Builders 5,204
Carpenters 103,238
Cabinet Makers 21,774
Carvers and Gilders 2,854
Chair Makers 802
Ironmongers and Ironfounders 10,411
Land Jobbers 651
Lime Burners 3,122
Masons or Wallers 49,159
Marble Cutters 1,732
Nailors 1,882
Painters 15,653
Plumbers and Glaziers 11,999
Plasterers 9,683
Sawyers 19,181
Slaters 4,539
Turners 5,905
Upholsterers 2,932
Undertakers 1,121
314,502

To which, if we add for Ireland, for apprentices and increase of population, we shall have a number probably far exceeding half a million!

That this description of paper has been long a desideratum, is evinced by the history and character of the associations of years past. The struggles on the part of masters and men, and the attitude taken by the public towards both, required an interlocutor of this nature to promote a good understanding, and to secure equity and justice to all. With such an auxiliary, what waste of time and funds had been avoided—what noble projects carried out—what petty strife suppressed—what distractions kept down. Our dignity would have been maintained, and our cause ennobled.

But more than this. How many of the claims of humble merit have slept in this interval for the want of a friendly expositor, or a common vehicle of publicity? And how many valuable inventions have languished wanting encouragement, or died still-born in the obscurity of their birth? How many toilsome wanderings of the artisan in search of employment might have been avoided?—how many common benefits have been withheld?—How frequently the hand of brotherly charity undirected, and the worthy object frustrated of its aid? In the glut of work in one quarter and its scarcity in another, how promptly would

“THE BUILDER”

have adjusted the balance? Its columns at all times open to inquiries, and the office for reference, would have solved many difficulties, and facilitated many purposes of good.

But “better late than never.” The present effort will be under the chief conduct of one who, from his experience and practice, has derived means and opportunities of knowing the wants, and understanding the interests, of the class to whom he has the honour to belong. And it will be the object at all times to enlist in behalf of this enterprise the talent and services of all superior minds and zealous hearts in the various kindred professions.

The paper will be of a convenient size for being bound as a book, and so that the essays and illustrations may be separated and preserved. As before stated in respect of the political department, the Editor will endeavour to steer clear of partizanship. But times may arise when a fearless advocacy of trade interests will require him to oppose or support the party in power; on such occasions he will claim for himself the right to assert his views, and those of his class, in a manly and temperate manner.

The illustrations will consist of views, plans, elevations, and sections of ancient and modern buildings, and of parts of buildings, so as effectually to describe their peculiar excellencies;—of working drawings and diagrams for the carpenter, mason, cabinet-maker, &c. &c.;—designs of manufactured articles and implements used in building;—of improved associations and architectural arrangements, whether in the cottage or the mansion, the villa or the palace, in the farm, the village, and the city; in short, there will be no subject in art or science connected with building and the furnishing of buildings that will not be sought after to be introduced here.

As a medium of Advertisements, its merits will be obvious: the list already given comprehends a large number of those to whom such a paper as this offers always the only proper vehicle. But there are many besides to whom it will be a welcome organ. In the matter of contracts for building, of business to be disposed of or sought after, of workmen wanted or seeking employment, and in all such pertaining to the class of builders and cabinet makers, it will at once form a perfect scheme of publicity, thereby encouraging many to advertise, in the certainty of their advertisements being read, and many to read in the same certainty of finding an answer to their wants.

All communications to be addressed to the Editor of “The Builder,” No. 2, York-street, Covent Garden.

TESSELLATED PAVEMENT.—WYATT, PARKER, and CO. respectfully call the attention of the Public to their Specimens of Tessellated Pavement which may be seen at Albion Wharf, Holland-street, Surrey Foot of Blackfriars-bridge.

The Tesseræ for forming this Pavement or Flooring, being composed of similar material to that used in the manufacture of porcelain, and highly vitrified, are imperishable. They can be had of any size and form, from cubes of a quarter of an inch, and with the colours burnt throughout the entire body. If required, they may be gilt similar to those on the tombs of Edward the Confessor and Henry the Third. They are prepared to execute designs for these floors, or to dispose of the small Quarries or Tesseræ by the gross, to such persons as may wish to execute their own floors. These Tesseræ may be united on the floor with Roman Cement, Lime, and Pozzolano, Plaster of Paris, or most of the Cements now in use; or prepared in slabs, and laid with the same facility as Portland Stone paving.

ENCAUSTIC or INLAID ORNAMENTAL TILES, for paving churches, halls, corridors, &c.—WYATT, PARKER, and Co. beg to acquaint the public that they are now prepared to execute PAVEMENTS with these beautiful tiles, manufactured in imitation of the best ancient examples from the Chapterhouse, Westminster, Winchester Cathedral, Romsey Church, Great Malvern, &c. Being made of the famous red Staffordshire clay, they are of a less porous body than the ancient tiles, consequently are more durable, and will bear the roughest usage to which a foot-pavement can be subject, and are therefore more economical than any of the marbles and stones now in use for similar purposes. W. P., and Co. also have a great variety of other tiles of various colours for flooring, and white glazed tiles for the sides of stoves, dairies, baths, &c. Specimens may be seen at Wyatt, Parker, and Co.’s wharf, Holland-street, Surrey Foot of Blackfriars-bridge.

ARTISTS, PRINTSELLERS, and Others are respectfully informed that C. F. Brelefeld has formed a large Collection of new and elegant Designs for Picture Frames in the Improved Papier Maché. The superiority of these Frames consists in their having all the effect of old carved work; many patterns represent exactly the finest carvings of the 17th century. The small parts are far less liable to injury than putty work. Papier Maché being a remarkably tough and hard substance, it never shrinks, and takes gilding very freely; the frames do not weigh one quarter the weight of others, and the price is below that usually charged.

Many specimens are now on view at C. F. Brelefeld’s Papier Maché Works, No. 15, Wellington-street North, Strand, where also Pattern Books may be had, price 14s., consisting of a variety of Patterns of Picture and Glass Frames and Window Cornices, already executed, and on sale.

“PICTURE FRAMES.—We direct the especial attention of all persons interested in this subject to the frames for pictures manufactured by Mr. Brelefeld; they are of Papier Maché, and the advantages they possess over the ordinary composition frames are so strong and so numerous, that they must inevitably be brought into general use. They look exceedingly attractive, and are in reality as much so as if they had passed through the hands of the carver, and been produced at about ten times the expense. The gilding tells with very brilliant effect; and no matter how elaborate the pattern may be, they have a clearness and sharpness that we have seldom or never seen obtained in composition.”—Art-Union.

TO CIVIL ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS, BUILDERS, AND THE PUBLIC.

THOMAS PEAKE’S TERRO-METALLIC MANUFACTORIES, Tunstall, near Newcastle, Staffordshire. Depôt, Albion Wharf, Holland-street, London, per Messrs. Wyatt, Parker, and Co.

The manufacturer and his late father have conducted the present business since 1808, now thirty-four years. He begs to remark that, during that period, the articles have supplanted other materials to a considerable extent provincially; and experience leads him to believe that they will be more generally adopted in the metropolis, as they become known.

T. P. had the honour to supply roof tiles for lodges, villas, &c. at Chatsworth, and he believes they are not excelled in efficiency or appearance by any tiled roofs in the world.

Pipes instead of Parget for chimneys, either circular for masonry, or 14 by 9 in., and other forms and sizes, not to injure the bond of brickwork; Grecian, Italian, pan, plain, and ornamental tiles, instead of slates, for roofs, with tiles for the hips, valleys, and ridges, a desirable substitute for lead, those for ridges with pyramidal points, lilies, &c.; paving tiles, 6, 7½, and 9 in. square, blue and red, to lay in checquer; skirting tiles; garden edging tiles, very neat; channel tiles; sough grate tiles; drain shell tiles; conduit pipes, of various diameters, from 3 to 16 in., with dead or socket joints, also conical, to fit one within another—the 12 and 16 in. are well adapted fur small sewers. Great numbers of the different sorts and sizes of these pipes have been used upon the railways, especially the London and Birmingham, the Great Western, and Birmingham and Gloucester lines. At home and abroad they are preferred to lead, iron, &c., to convey water for domestic use. The paving of this material, whether square or oblong, is clean, efficient, and durable; it is well adapted for ground floors in general, for outyards, footpaths in towns, &c.

Bath Depôt—Mr. W. Davey, the Quay.
Bristol Depôt—Mr. G. S. Burroughs, Canon’s-marsh.
Isle of Wight—Mr. Ent. Paxton, Ryde.

An early call is most respectfully solicited.

ORNAMENTAL GLASS, Wedgwood Vases, China and Earthenware.—APSLEY PELLATT, only surviving partner of the firm of Pellatt and Green, many years since removed from St. Paul’s churchyard to the Falcon Glass Works, Holland-street, Blackfriars, which is the only establishment in London where every operation connected with glass manufacture (as blowing, cutting, engraving, stoppering, &c.) may be seen in full operation every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. For a description, with engravings, see Penny Magazine, No. 572. The extensive show-rooms contain a large assortment of decanters, wine glasses, desert services, toilet and smelling bottles, medical and philosophical glass ware, crystal renaissance chandeliers, massive, highly refractive, and decorated with large arabesque ornamental drops, easily cleaned; also girandoles, candlesticks, &c. The china and earthenware comprise breakfast, dinner, desert, tea, and chamber services, from the best manufacturers; together with an extensive selection of Etruscan, Italian, and other vases, modelled and executed by the most able artists at Messrs. Wedgwood’s works, at Etruria, including his celebrated chef-d’œuvre copy of the largest Etruscan vase in the British Museum, the Portland vase, &c. Printed lists, with sketches, may be had on application.

SMITH’S PATENT DOUBLE AND SINGLE ACTION DOOR-SPRINGS are warranted to be the cheapest and best.

Patent weather-tight Fastenings and Cill bars for French casements, which render the French windows perfectly dry, and make a secure, cheap, and invisible fastening. Improved cramps for laying floors.

Manufactory for Iron and Brass work of every description. Depôt for the Patent Wire, Rope, and Sash Line, 69, Princes-street, Leicester-square.

London:—Printed by Messrs. J. L. Cox & Sons, 75, Great Queen-street, Lincoln’s-Inn-Fields; and published by Francis Newton, at the Office, 2, York-street, Covent-garden, where all Letters and Communications for the Editor are to be addressed.