commodious Houses ivith Earthen Walls, 9 Go 



The sides of the frames, as formerly constructed, were 

 supported on joists or cross pieces of timber, which pieces 

 were cut into the lop of each course of walling. The sides 

 were then kept together by upright timbers framed into the 

 cross pieces or joists, and the tops of the upright pieces 

 were wristed and held together by ropes going across the 

 frame from one side to the other. In consequence of this 

 construction, by experience F found much labour was lost 

 in cutting the channels to lay the cross pieces in.- These 

 channels, after the buUdings were up, look labour and ma- 

 terials to fill them in, and rendered the walls less strong. 

 Also the difficulty of getting the frame rightly placed every 

 time it was moved, and the elasticity of the rope across the 

 top, made the whole very imperfect, so much so that all 

 work done in that manner was untrue and unsound ; as the 

 rope, however tight it might be strained, would yield to a 

 certain degree, The labour of moving was g;reat, and when 

 the frames were set, the cross ropes and uprights above the 

 sides were much in the way of the workmen. 



On examining the model I have the honour to send, it 

 may be seen that these frames being once set true, they re- 

 quire very little care afterwards : being kept together by 

 iron bolts, no elasticity can occur, and the earth will be as 

 firmly compressed as if rammed between two walls. No 

 cutting away for cross pieces is required, nor any holes but 

 the small bolt holes to make good ; and as nothing slicks up 

 above the frames, the workman cannot be impeded. In 

 consequence of these alterations the work may be more 

 cheaply and truly executed than with the old sort of frame. 

 Previously to entering into the expense of this sort of 

 work, on my conceptions as to its advantage, it may be ne- 

 cessary briefly to state from whence such is collected. 



About sixteen or eighteen years ago, the late Duke of 

 Bedford directed a foreigner, who was then making some 

 walls in Lancashire, lo come and make some specimens 

 here, and wishing to know how far it might be usefully in- 

 troduced, T was directed to give attention and every aid to 

 the man employed. Accordingly frames of the old sort 

 were made, exactly like those' before described, and with 

 them some specimens being made, the man returned. These 

 specimens I considered were very bad walling, and in at- 

 tending to the execution thereof, seeing sufficient room for 

 improvement, I was directed further to practise it. Frames 

 were then constructed like the model, and several walls 

 erected, among which were some cottages now standing, 



and. 



