BRISTOL BUILDING STONES. 



99 



It. absorbs from ono and a half to tliree and a quarter pints 

 to the cubic foot. Tho percentage of absoi-ption, by volume 

 is from 6'5 to 2'75. The rock is distinctly bedded, and 

 should bo laid down with tho bedded layers horizontal, 

 otherwise there is a tendency to flake off under tlie action 

 of fi'ost and weather, and to produce bad work., 



" Tho great disadvantage of tho stone is the disability 

 to stand masons' tools, the face in time peeling off. This 

 (;an be seen at the portion of the Bridewell now standing, 

 and tho plinth of the Council House." Few of us can have 

 failed to notice this fact, to which Mr. Brock alludes in 

 some valuable notes with which he was good enough to 

 fnrnish me. I have been informed that tlie use of wooden 

 mallets checks or lessons this vice. " Within tho last few 

 years," however, Mr. Brock informs me, " some of the 

 quarry masters have sawn the solid block in the quarry 

 into paving and steps which will not peel or perish on the 

 surface." An example of such sawn blocks may be seen 

 in tho flight of steps to tho north porch of St. Mary Red- 

 cliffc Church, recently renewed by Messrs Brock & Bruce. 



For house-bailding this is now generally regarded as itie 

 best stone. It may be seen in the incomplete buildings 

 of tho University College, in the Bristol General Hospital, 

 and in several of tho newer churches. 



The oldest structure in which Pennant has been used 

 in Bristol is the tower of St. Peter's Chui'ch, of Norman 

 ago. How badly the stone has there weathered is made 

 obvious by the presence of blocks of millstone grit, which 

 stand out, from their greater powers of resistance, several 

 inches beyond tho weakened surface of the Pennant. Even 

 granting that little care was taken in selecting the stone 

 for this building, the state of St. Peter's tower leads one 

 to question the advisability of its use in ecclesiastical 



