DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.52829#0120
70
introduced in the annexed Plate to show their application. A very
handsome example, as well as of hip “ knobs,” may be seen at
Beddington, in Surrey, an ancient seat of the Carews.
On the subject of details, it may be observed, that too little attention
is paid by modern artists to the ancient manner of construction; and
many characteristic features, not only essential to the general effect, but
important to the security of the buildings themselves, are often over-
looked. Take, for example, the mullioned windows, and the doors in
brick, or unwrought stone walls; and it will be seen, that the jambs in
old buddings are invariably bonded into the piers, and the bond-stones
left visible; but, by the builders of the present day, this necessary pre-
caution is too frequently disregarded, and the moulded jambs left with a
spruce, plain-edged margin, as if they had no connexion with the work
by which they are surrounded. Another defect is the want of discharging
arches over apertures crowned with free-stone, to equalise the pressure
caused by superincumbent weights; for, however the weaker parts may
be relieved by internal lintels, the external appearance of want of
strength is very objectionable, and destroys at once the identity of the
edifice with the ancient style of architecture.
The frets and other fanciful forms which are seen in the fronts of
buildings, formed of vitrified bricks, were made for the purpose of
employing, in a manner the least unsightly, such as were discoloured by
burning. In a clamp or kiln of bricks, a certain number must, from
their situation, be more strongly acted upon by the fire than the general
mass, and, consequently, become darkly tinged. With the tact so
peculiar to the old artisans, this, like other seeming disadvantages, was
turned to account; and, what in other hands would have been blemishes,
were converted by them into embellishments. Instead of allowing the
workmen to use such bricks indiscriminately, and thereby disfigure the
introduced in the annexed Plate to show their application. A very
handsome example, as well as of hip “ knobs,” may be seen at
Beddington, in Surrey, an ancient seat of the Carews.
On the subject of details, it may be observed, that too little attention
is paid by modern artists to the ancient manner of construction; and
many characteristic features, not only essential to the general effect, but
important to the security of the buildings themselves, are often over-
looked. Take, for example, the mullioned windows, and the doors in
brick, or unwrought stone walls; and it will be seen, that the jambs in
old buddings are invariably bonded into the piers, and the bond-stones
left visible; but, by the builders of the present day, this necessary pre-
caution is too frequently disregarded, and the moulded jambs left with a
spruce, plain-edged margin, as if they had no connexion with the work
by which they are surrounded. Another defect is the want of discharging
arches over apertures crowned with free-stone, to equalise the pressure
caused by superincumbent weights; for, however the weaker parts may
be relieved by internal lintels, the external appearance of want of
strength is very objectionable, and destroys at once the identity of the
edifice with the ancient style of architecture.
The frets and other fanciful forms which are seen in the fronts of
buildings, formed of vitrified bricks, were made for the purpose of
employing, in a manner the least unsightly, such as were discoloured by
burning. In a clamp or kiln of bricks, a certain number must, from
their situation, be more strongly acted upon by the fire than the general
mass, and, consequently, become darkly tinged. With the tact so
peculiar to the old artisans, this, like other seeming disadvantages, was
turned to account; and, what in other hands would have been blemishes,
were converted by them into embellishments. Instead of allowing the
workmen to use such bricks indiscriminately, and thereby disfigure the