936 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION J. 



petition sometimes interferes, and the £ s. d. is only con- 

 sidered. 



I sliould have mentioned ere coming so near to the end of 

 my paper, that the Romanesqne and Free Classic are good 

 orders of architecture for the employment of Portland cement 

 where it is necessary to use the same, and I am convinced it 

 is a good material to use, if desirable, under the circumstances 

 hereinbefore mentioned ; not that I prefer Portland cement 

 fronts to brick or other material, but circumstances must guide 

 the way. When used, the cement should be taken out of the 

 casks sufficient for a certain front and laid out on dry boards 

 in a dry place for from four to seven days for tempering, 

 and the whole thoroughly mixed together dry so as to ensure 

 one chemical action throughout to prevent blowing or difference 

 in colour upon face of the work. The rendering should be 

 perfectly dry before the setting coat is put on, as it gives an 

 opportunity for any defect in the greater bulk to settle down 

 ere finishing. 



Architects should not object to expressions of opinion by 

 laymen, but listen and say nothing. Some information may 

 be obtained. At times it often occurs, as Mathew Prior the 

 poet says, " He who speaks the most has the least to say," 

 therefore architects may often have to listen to more than is 

 necessary. 



One thing also must not be overlooked, and that is the 

 wealth of the client, which bears much upon the subject of 

 materials. To briefly draw attention to same : a man of 

 wealth might have a palace of marble instead of stone, with 

 columns of granite, with capitals of alabaster instead of Parian 

 or Keene's cement and so on, but the difference of appearance 

 would not be so great as the difference in cost ; but it would 

 show wealth, and wealth and taste should go hand in hand. 



Many handsome buildings have been finished in Portland 

 cement; take London, Brighton, Eastbourne, and Worthing, 

 in England : there the manner of treating the buildings with 

 cement has been carefully done. I may add, as time advances 

 many other materials besides those now in use may crop up 

 which we will have to mould to suit the times and circum- 

 stances. 



Not only should the materials be considered, but so should 

 the supervision in either the overlooking of cement and brick- 

 work, for much good material and labour has been wasted 

 for the want of a thorough knowledge of the same. 



My paper is only a short one giving a few practical hints, 



