AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 671 



fluence. I have been told, by a party interested in another iron 

 pavement, that fifty shares of stock were given to one newspaper; 

 and knowing that the press is governed by the laws of trade, and 

 probably could not obtain support if it acted on liberal principles, 

 I presume that its influence has been to a considerable extent ob- 

 tained in this way. 



The vast capital and influence invested in old inventions, plans 

 fashions and practices, support the press; and if all the genius in 

 the world were concentrated upon the improvement of paving, 

 and should develop the absolutely perfect plan, that plan would 

 remain unnoticed unless it paid ; while the iron paving in Cort- 

 landt street would get all the commendation it required. 



I think it proper to say a few words about the origin, present 

 condition, and future prospects of the Russ paving, as it is called. 

 It was to last several thousand years without expense for repairs. 

 It has a good foundation of concrete; but between that foundation 

 and the pavement there is a layer of dirt, which was put in to 

 level up the blocks. Of course this dirt did not keep its place ; 

 but allowed the stones to be driven down, so that the surface soon 

 became uneven. The London pavements, made of large blocks, 

 are laid upon concrete before it is set, and they keep their level 

 perfectly ; and if this pavement had not been laid under the di- 

 rection of men who were ignorant of the principles of road engi- 

 neering, they would have used cement instead of this loose dirt. 



A multitude of ignorant persons are now contriving plans to 

 improve this pavement, at a cost of two dollars per yard, after pay- 

 ing $6.50 per yard once, for all time. Some of them think they 

 can do it for fifty cents per yard; others dont know what it will 

 cost ; others will do it by steam drills and cutters, which they 

 have invented but not tried; but I do not believe the grooving, 

 perforating, or splitting up and relaying, will be done for less 

 than two dollars per yard; and when it is done the paving will 

 wear much faster, and make much more noise and dirt than it 

 does at present. 



The best disposition of this pavement would be to lay it in the 

 Fifth avenue, provided the proprietors will pay a reasonable part 

 of the expense. In place of it, a good iron pavement should be 



