“A large and beautiful field lies open before you, and by bringing before the public some of the noble metropolitan structures, the beautiful street architecture, and suburban villas, you will create a love for reading and study amongst a most important class, that will force The Builder on, till it has attained the ‘Corinthian order’ as a magazine, and the companion of every artizan.
“A magazine has always occurred to me as the best mode to bring the architecture of this country in its best form before the public, always acknowledging the name of the professional gentlemen employed in the erection illustrated; so much so, that I have often been tempted to suggest the idea to some of the London publishers, as there the erections are as a source inexhaustible.
“Though The Builder may be an instrument of much good, if correctness of plans and details are guaranteed, its fall will be as certain, if it should be a medium of ‘book-making,’ so often seen thrown before the public.
“It will likewise add to the value of The Builder, by continuing the portraitures of men so eminent in architectural skill as the noble-minded William of Wykeham, already illustrated in the Precursor number.
“I would respectfully suggest the propriety of detaching the advertisements from The Builder, so far as to allow a separate binding of the work.
“Reviews of architectural works are also highly commendable in The Builder, as they increase in quantity of late years; and a guidance to purchasers therefore is valuable.
“With best wishes for the prosperity of the undertaking, in a continual increasing circulation, I must beg the forwarding to your correspondent here, such of the numbers as have been issued.
“I remain, most respectfully,
“Joseph J. Roebuck, Joiner.”
“Manchester-Road, Huddersfield, Feb. 13, 1843.”