Is^o. 151.] 177 



correct taste for architectural design, and executed master pieces in 

 this way, all are free to admit. They have been, and ever will be 

 models for our imitation, and they knew very well how to quarry a 

 large block of granite in a mountain, having first levelled a way, 

 placino^ it upon simple rollers, (a method by which the Astor House 

 might be moved entire, down to Wall-street,) was urged forward to 

 a canal in the vicinity, dug out for the purpose, and then upon a 

 rude raft, float such a piece to the desired point; and then by the 

 force of thousands, again urge it forward on rollers to the place of 

 erection in an unfinished state. At this point after having received 

 a finish, might be elevated into its place in the building by the use 

 of pimple wedges," but all this it must be recollected, was accom- 

 plished only with immense labor and toil; and hence these remains 

 of enormous structures, may be considered remarkable only on ac- 

 count of the number of days' labor expended upon them, and the 

 number of years taken in their construction. 



Their erection was caused by the sanctity of an ancient custom. 

 We cannot admit that their existence had any thing to do with either 

 utility or luxury; they may be regarded as simple monuments of des- 

 potism. 



Our only object in these remarks has been to refute an unjust de- 

 nunciation against modern skill, not wishing to underrate the skill, 

 considering the age of the world at the time they were built, which 

 executed such specimens of architecture; but to accord to ourcotem- 

 porary builders, their just claim to equality in the knowledge of ar- 

 chitectural building, and to show their competency if occasion re- 

 quired, to erect even larger buildings, with much superadded elegance 

 and propriety, at an expense of labor not more than the one hun- 

 <lredth part. 



Auxiliary to the construction of modern buildings, we have to 

 notice in the proo-ress of improvement, the invention of circular 

 ■saws, lath mills, machinery for planeing, tongueing and grooving 

 boards. This last named invention is at this moment doing the la- 

 tor of thousands of men, and paying the assignees of a renewed pa- 

 lent, it is said equal to $3,000 per day. The invention of shingle 

 machines, morticing and tenoning machines, machines for making 

 cornice and other moulding. (A late invention) of brick machines, 

 •capable of turning out 30,000 dry bricks per day, in a state fit to be 

 set up immediately into a kiln for burning; (this is also a late in- 

 vention of great promise.) Machines for making window sash and 



[Assembly, No. 151.] 12 



