1 1 8 Bricks made of Anthracite and Clay. 



Art. XXI. — Jl description of the advantages derived from the use of 

 an intermixture of the Anthracite Coal of this country, with the 

 materials made use of in the making of Brick, rendering the burn- 

 ing of them more perfect and uniform., and greatly improving their 

 texture and durability, as practiced last season, at one of the Brick 

 Yards on the JYorth River. Communicated to the Editor, by 

 William Meade, M. D. 



To the discoveries which have been made within these few years 

 in the physical sciences, do we owe the most important improvements 

 in agriculture and manufactures, both mechanical and chemical ; 

 those discoveries would escape the notice of the greater part of the 

 community, were they not widely circulated through the medium of 

 the public journals. Having lately received some information on the 

 subject of brick making, which is of some importance, but which 

 would probably remain confined to a few individuals, did not your 

 valuable Journal afford the means of general circulation ; I am in- 

 duced to offer you, in detail, some observations on the improvements 

 which are suggested in the manufacture of this article. 



The rage for building, not only in the great cities of this country, 

 but in the small towns, which are gradually springing up in every part 

 of the Union, in consequence of the extended and growing popula- 

 tion, has given rise to an increased demand for the necessary materi- 

 als for the structure of houses. Brick-making has, therefore, become 

 one of those manufactures which is extending itself in every direc- 

 tion. The texture and durability of those essential requisites for 

 building has, however, not been brought to the same perfection as in 

 other countries. This has arisen from a want of due attention to the 

 selection of the materials, a proper intermixture and preparation of 

 those materials, and above all, the want of due management and 

 regulation of the heat in the process of burning, upon which chiefly 

 their strength and durability depend. 



Few who know the value of a dry and comfortable house, will dis- 

 pute the importance of a proper selection of one of the materials 

 which principally contribute to this purpose. 



It is not my intention, at present, to enter minutely into the process 

 of brick-making, which requires more skill and management than is 

 generally imagined. My only object is to call the attention of the 

 public to an improvement which has lately been suggested in the art 



