I2S 



IWay be made 

 *ery haad- 



Common 



SUJrcaSeS. 



SECURITY AGAINST FIftE. 



which I think the cheapest and easiest way, the framing 

 might be cast with sunk edges, so that the front and top of 

 the steps would just lit into the groved framing, and four or 

 six screws would fasten them in a few moments. All the 

 tops and fronts, when cast in a monld, would fit iu the fram- 

 ing; and all the framing being so cast to fit, a flight of stairs 

 would soon be put together; the plates might all be cast 

 light, and, when all screwed together, would appear a hand- 

 some mass of iron. 



They who are unaquainted with the method of castings 

 may suppose, that the work would leave the sand rough and 

 uneven; but, if it is cast in fine sand, it will be level and 

 uniform, and be ready for screwing together, the surfaces 

 will be as regular as stone, when put together, and not so 

 liable to wear smooth, and endanger a person to slip off, in 

 coming down stairs. Such stairs will certainly be much 

 handsomer than stone, and of half the price, or less : with 

 this advantage, the railing may match, and be made of cast 

 iron also. 



They would appear very beautiful, if well painted, to 

 imitate mahogany, as also the railing, which might be oast'm 

 very handsome and various fanciful patterns. There would 

 be much scope for genius and fancy in devising and execu- 

 ting the staircases and railings, as almost any device, almost 

 any antique figure, or gothic scroll, might be tastefully in-- 

 tvoduced, forming an elegant, indeed I might venture to 

 say, if expense was not the object, the most beautiful, and 

 certainty the most durable, staircases, that can possibly be 

 formed. 



Common staircases of iron would certainly be made as 

 cheap, or cheaper than of oak ; and I think, if a manufac- 

 tory was to be established, and a regular trade made of it, 

 they might afford them as cheap as any kind of wood, and a 

 great deal more work might be put in them, as far as con- 

 cerns the ornamental part : for the same cast, that formed 

 only straigh tlines, would, by varying the mould, at the fame 

 expense, form the most beautiful specimens of antiquity. 

 Therefore wood cannot be brought into comparison with it 

 on the score of taste, nor can price be admitted as an ob- 

 jection to its introduction. Besides, if painting was looked 



upoa 



