3S3 LATROBES OBSERVATIONS 



ing should be perfectly drowned in water, and the fluid strained 

 and run into a pit, from whence, after remaining if necessary 

 during a whole winter, or more, it may be cut out hot, as 

 smooth as custard, and capable of receiving a very great pro- 

 portion of sand without becoming harsh and brittle. All sub- 

 stances containing a quantity of carbon combined with oxy- 

 gen, are highly useful ingredients ; such as skim-milk, whey, 

 molasses, skimmings of sugar pans, sugar, vinegar, beer, wine 

 lees, all sorts of washings of breweries, distilleries, and sugar 

 houses. These substances, by giving their carbon to tbe lime, 

 convert the cement into a calcareous sand stone in a more 

 expeditious manner, than by any process dependent upon at- 

 traction from the atmosphere. But though blood, oils, and curds 

 have been recommended, the animal or vegetable mucilage 

 they contain is injurious to their durability. The celebrated 

 cement of Adams, of which oil was a considerable ingredient, 

 after standing with every appearance of permanence for some 

 years, began then to fail, and actions being brought against 

 him by Lord Stanhope (Mahon) and others upon his warran- 

 tee, this artist, so deservedly considered as one of the brightest 

 ornaments of the English school, was ruined in fortune, by the 

 damages awarded against him. 



Before I close my remarks on this cement, I will add, that 

 all cements of every kind acquire the quality of hardening in 

 proportion to the working and beating they get, and no remark 

 can be more just than that of Mr. Jones, that " the patience 

 bestowed will amply reward you." 



2. and 3. Use of Timber in Walls. 



In all professions, there are prejudices of practice, which 

 become national. That of filling their walls with what they 

 call bond timbers is one of those practices, which every English 

 architect receives by inheritance. The white ants have been 

 serviceable to architecture in expelling it from Bengal. 



A piece of timber bedded in a wall can be of service, only 

 for the following uses : 



1. If it be laid under the joists or timbers of a floor, it serves 

 to spread the weight equally along the wall ; or if under the 



