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.