304 On architectural, rural, domestic, and other Improvements. 



der magazines at Purfleet, against lightning, every thing was sugges- 

 ted with a view to the very peculiar localities of that establishment ; 

 all express pretensions to abstract rules, as such, being studiously 

 avoided. — It cannot therefore, be expected, that any thing on this 

 head, should be said here in a concise manner, with an expectation 

 of its being satisfactory. It is a poor consolation on this occasion to 

 be able to affirm, that there is perhaps no one subject in meteorolo- 

 gy, which has had justice done to it in all its branches ; and there- 

 fore, that what regards lightning does not seem to form an exception 

 to the general rule. Persuaded however, as I myself am of this 

 fact, I do not conceive that the subject can be properly discussed in 

 all its parts, unless in a separate little memoir j and here therefore, I 

 must take my leave of it at present. 



[The supplement to this paper will be found either at the close of this number, or 

 the commencement of the next.] 



Art. VI.— Observations on architectural, rural, domestic, and other 

 improvements ; by Elkazar Lord, of New York. 



New York, July 23, 1S33. 



TO PROFESSOR SILLIMAW. 



Sir,—1 observed recently, in one of the public prints, a brief no- 

 tice of an association of gentlemen in your city, for the purpose of 

 ascertaining and recommending the best plans and models of domi- 

 ciliary architecture. The questions to be investigated relate, as near 

 as I remember, to the architectural proportions, materials for building, 

 and methods of warming and ventilating apartments, by which dura- 

 bility, economy, and convenience, may be combined with elegance 

 and taste.* 



These, in every point of view, are questions of great interest. They 

 concern not only, the thrift and comfort of individuals and families, 

 but likewise the health, the social character, and indirectly, the mor- 

 als of households and communities ; and, considered in these rela- 

 tions, they are worthy of all the attention they can receive from en- 

 lightened and philanthropic citizens. It is matter of wonder that they 

 have not hitherto gained that hold on the public mind to which they 



* Many other objects were eml^raced in the plan. — Ed. 



