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almost always a pood deal of imperfection in the making 

 of pise". It was for this reason that Cointereau, architect 

 from the city of Lyons, having settled at Paris toward 

 the end of his career, conceived the idea of making his 

 pise" beforehand under sheds, in small moulds, where it 

 was easier to press them always equally, and to allow 

 them to dry beforehand, sheltered from the rains and other 

 vicissitudes of the seasons : which produced in the end 

 true bricks or artificial stones of great hardness, and con- 

 sequently excellent materials for building. It must be 

 understood that in working them, as in using hewn stone, 

 a little thin mortar or quick-lime will be required. In 

 some places, stiff earth makes an excellent mortar for this 

 kind of pise. The size and shape of the moulds can be 

 varied in such a way as to answer in all cases and for all 

 purposes. In this way, can be made beforehand, not only 

 artificial stone, ready cut for the corners and angles of 

 the windows and doors, but also for pilasters, columns, 

 circular, elliptic and gothic arches, etc.; for experience 

 has proved, that with the exception of the key, which can 

 be of wood as well as hewn stone, pise can be used for 

 the vaults of cellars provided it is protected from moisture. 

 However, for the brick, and even for every other purpose, 

 it would be as well to prepare moulds of only moderate 

 dimensions, so that each brick shall not weigh more than 

 twenty-five or thirty pounds, then one man can easily 

 handle and place them : otherwise it would be necessary 

 to employ more men, more time, and tools which neces- 

 sarily wear off the corners of these stones or bricks, and 

 injure them. It will be seen in the sequel how economi- 

 cal is this style of building, even in countries where wood, 

 stone and lime are more abundant. It is the true rural 

 construction, cool in summer, warm in winter; and is be- 

 sides susceptible, at a small expense, of the handsomest 



