IMPROVEMENT IN BRICfcS. £53 



by a wire, and the whole of the way through at each end, 

 which leaves the ends square and handsome for work. 



The bricklayer, to divide each brick in length, has only easily cat for 

 to take the brick in his left hand, with the mark, or cut, closuies * 

 downwards longitudinally ; and by one smart blow with the 

 trowel he will have two complete king-closures, with which 

 he can easily make four common closures. 



I have shown them to many workmen, who all approve of 

 them. I had two hundred and fifty of them made by a brick- 

 maker for an experiment, and I have ordered two thousand 

 more. The builders who do the principal part of my work 

 have had some on their own account, and have since increa- 

 sed their orders. I have no doubt when they are better 

 known they will come into general use. 



A considerable saving in labour and waste of bricks may Their a<ivant- 

 be effected by their use, particularly in walls where piers are ages * 

 built, and where there are many openings ; the work will 

 also be rendered more substantial. There will be a saving 

 in room and materials where the back of a chimney is built 

 against a straight wall, particularly in flues for low build- 

 ings. They will be found useful in cities or large towns by 

 being placed in partition walls instead of lath and plaster, 

 and be a check to the ravages of fire. They will be useful 

 in preventing the passage of rats and mice, arid the disa- 

 greeable smell occasioned when they die betwixt lath and 

 plaster or wainscot. They will also answer for draining of 

 land, and will form cheaper small drains from houses than 

 any other method. They may be cut in other forms or 

 directions for particular purposes according to the uses for 

 which they are intended. 



The additional expense of dividing them by the wire is Additional ex* 

 about two shillings per thousand, it is generally done after P ensecf m ^' 

 they have been moulded one or two days according to the 

 dryness of the season. 



I flatter myself, that, if this communication meets with the 

 approbation of the Society, it will render a benefit to the 

 public, I am, Sir, with much esteem, 



Your roost obedient servant, 



JOHN STEPHENS. 

 Reading, October 31, 1810. 



Dear 



