604 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



formity most" which presents no uneven surfaces or relief. One mountain 

 or hill is very n-^uch like another, the size being disregarded ; yet we never 

 tire of mountain scenery, while we wander listlessly enough over the prai- 

 ries, the first day's travel being over. There is not so much d^inger of 

 uniformity or reduplication in iron as in stone, because the artist knows 

 the plastic power he has over his material. In this, as in every other case, 

 we must throw ourselves into the hands of the experienced, and only 

 be sareful to avoid empirics. 



"If I seem to dwell too long upon this subject, let the cause excuse me. 

 It has been objected that great architectural results cannot be gained in 

 iron ; and, moreover, that we shall be loaded down with too many houses 

 .that bear a resemblance. Now let it be assumed that we have the old 

 models — these we can imitate, and bo imitate — yet it is something new 

 under the sun to object to them. If an iron house, constructed after a 

 classic model, replace a blank brick wall, with square holes in it for people 

 to look out of, or tumble out of, shall our architect complain ? Shall any 

 body complain? I can see no ground for dissatisfaction on the part of 

 any one, except that he did not make the innovation. 



" One effect the introduction of iron for building purposes undoubtedly 

 had, and that was to rouse the community from their long neglect of all 

 architectural beauty of design in both public and private buildings. As 

 soon as it became evident that the new iron buildings would break away 

 from the old straight up and down walls, the architects had to bestir them- 

 selves with their marble and free-stone. And a generous emulation has 

 produced for our city and our whole country more architectural display 

 during the ten years last past, than during the two centuries that preceded." 



MODE OF ERECTION, 



*' The mode of constructmg iron buildings, as patented by Mr. Bogardus, 

 is simple and effective. The exterior framework of iron may be divided 

 into two portions ; for convenience of reference, columns and cornices. The 

 cornice is cast in sections of convenient length, and the ends of these sec- 

 tions having been properly faced and planed, are brought together and 

 bolted with one or more bolts. Beneath the joint thus formed, is placed 

 the top of the cast iron column, which, by means of flanges, is bolted 

 securely to the cornice, through each of the two sections of the same and 

 the column of the story above rests directly over this joint and is bolted 

 similarly at its base. This is repeated throughout the building, wherever 

 the cornices and columns are brought together. The arches are bolted 

 together in the same simple manner, and the spaces between columns filled 

 up to suit the taste and style of architecture. All the parts should be well 

 painted, as, by this means, the joints will be beyond any doubt air and 

 water-tight. 



"It will be seen that by a proper proportioning of the iron, a wall of 

 enormous strength and solidity is erected — a wall, in fact, equivalent to 

 one continuous piece of cast-iron. The height may be indefinitely increased. 



