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be a removal only — a simple change of location. And to make 

 the calculation properly, we should know not only the present 

 worth of the buildings destroyed, but what was their original 

 cost. 



These superior qualities of cast-iron buildings depend mainly 

 upon their mode of structure, without which the rest would be 

 of little avail. We now proceed to consider those superadded 

 advantages which arise more directly from the character of the 

 material employed. 



Cast-iron does not indeed possess the character of wrought iron 

 for resisting tensile strain, but it is far superior to it in resisting 

 a crushing force; and it is vastly superior to granite, mai'ble, free- 

 stone, or brick, in resisting any kind of force or strain. It may, 

 however, for building purposes, be considered crushing-proof. 

 According to the tables of our best authorities, which have been 

 often verified, a cubic inch of cast-iron can sustain a weight of 

 eighty tons. Now, since a cubic foot weighs four hundred and 

 fifty-five lbs., it follows, by an easy computation, that a column of 

 cast-iron must be ten miles in height, before it will crush itself by 

 its own weight. It will be readily seen that the joint invented 

 by Mr. Bogardus, effectually secures the whole of this important 

 quality ; and that thereby he would be enabled to erect a tower 

 or building many times the height of any other edifice in the 

 world, which would be perfectly safe to visitors, in the face of 

 storm or tempest, though they filled it throughout every story, to 

 its utmost capacity. 



The great strength of cast-iron, enables us also to enlarge the 

 interior of a house, by lessening the thickness of its walls : a very 

 important item in this city, where ground is of great value. 



Cast-iron also possesses the quality of great durability. Unlike 

 wrought iron and steel, it is not subject to rapid oxydation and 

 decay, by exposure to the atmosphere. And whatever tendency 

 it may have of slowly imbibing oxygen in a moist atmosphere, can 

 easily be prevented by a proper coating of paint, and thus, at a 

 very small expense, be made to endure a thousand years, unaf- 

 fected by the winds or the weather. On account of this quality, 

 cast-iron houses do not tax their owners with the cost and the 

 trouble of repairs, which are incident to other buildings, in con- 

 sequence of their perishable character. 



Another recommendation of cast-iron is, " its happy adaptabil- 

 ity to ornament and decoration." Were a single ornament only 

 required, it might perhaps be executed as cheaply in marble or 



