14 New Method of making Bricks so as to form 



no answer to this argument to state that many veins, which 

 traverse the strata, c(>ntain no meiallic substances. As 

 long as one instan(;e can be found where this is the case, 

 its Force remains unbroken. 



In hopes that these remarks may not be unacceptable to 

 those of your readers who are partial to geological re- 

 searches, 



I remain, sir, yours, &c. 

 July 1, 1S12. H. 



P. S. — We mav likewise remark, from the consideration 

 of the great density of tlic earth, that the opinion of many 

 philosopliers, that granite forass its solid nucleus, must be 

 unfounded. 



IV. New Method of making Bricks, so ai to form cheaper 

 and firmer Buildings, aud useful underground Drains. 

 By John Stephens, Esq. of Reading*. 



Sir, 1 HAVE sent, for the inspection of the Society of Arts, 

 &c. three closure brick-, whi('h on examination vou will find 

 to have been cut three-fourths of the way through in the 

 middle by a wire, and the whole ot the way through at each 

 end, which leavs.s ihe ends square and handsome fur work. 



The bricklayer to divide each brick in length has only to 

 take the brick in his left hand with the mark or cut down- 

 wards longitudinally, and by one smart blow with the 

 trowel he wdl have two complete king closures, with which 

 he can easily make four common closures. 



1 have shown them to many workmen, who all approve 

 of ihim. I had two hundred and fifty of them made l)v a 

 brickmiker fur an experiment, and I have ordered two 

 thousand more. The l)uildcrs who do the principal part 

 of my work have had some on their own account, and have 

 since increased their orders. I have no doubi when they 

 are better kntuvn they will come into general use. 



A considerable saving in lab )ur and waste of bricks may 

 be efTectcd by their use, particularlv in walls where piers 

 are hiiilt, and where there are many openings j the work will 

 also be rendered more subsiaiitial. 



There will be a saving in room and materials where the 

 back of a cliimney is built against a straight wall, paiticu- 

 lar'y in flues for low buildings. 



* From Tinnsarli-nt f,f Ihe Societtj f'lr ihc Uncnurn^emeitt of Arts, Alnvu- 



faclures, nnd ('ommerce, for 18 1 1. ^"I'he silver medal of the .Society was 



voted lo Mr. Suphens fur this communication, and speciniens of the bricks 

 are preserved Lo the Society's Repository. 



They 



