Bricks . 
156 
for this manufacture, both with regard to the expence, and the 
proper burning of the bricks ; for if this substance be applied, the 
flues or empty places of the pile, as well as the strata of the fuel, 
may be considerably smaller ; which, since the interference of the 
legislature with regard to the measurement of clamps, is no small 
consideration ; and as the heat produced by coke is more uniform 
and more intense than what is produced by the other materials, the 
charge of bricks has a better chance of being burnt perfectly 
throughout, so that the whole saving maybe calculated at least at 
32 per cent. 
Mr. Goldham observes, that bricks will have double the 
strength if, after one burning, they be steeped in water and burned 
afresh. “ The excellency of bricks,” says Mr. Malcolm, in his 
Compendium of Modern Husbandry , “ consists chiefly in the first 
and last operations- — in the tempering of the clay, and in the burn- 
ing of the bricks ; and as every man who has occasion to use 
bricks, whether on his own estate, or on that of his landlord, can- 
not but be sensible of the great value of a perfectly dry house ; 
and, as it is impossible a house can be dry if bricks are used which 
are insufficiently burnt, he will do well to consider whether it will 
be more advantageous to him in the end, to make use of the very 
best hard sound bricks, be the colour of them what they may, and 
be the cost of them what they will. Such bricks are easily known 
by their sound, and by their striking fire with steel.” For a more 
minute account of the various processes of brick-making, we must 
refer our readears to that author, from whom much of the pre- 
ceding information has been extracted. 
Bricks are made in various forms ; but those which are made 
for sale, and are in common use for building, are required, by act 
of parliament, to be not less than 8| inches long, thick, and 4 
inches wide. There are also square bricks, for pavement or fac- 
ing walls ; and cutting bricks, which are used for arches over 
doors and windows, being rubbed to a centre, and guaged to a 
height. Various improvements, however, have of late been made 
in the moulding of bricks ; and as the use of this article is daily be- 
coming more prevalent, they are now formed so as to suit almost 
every purpose in building. Among these improvements, the 
patent bricks of Mr. Cartwright deserve particular attention. 
These bricks are formed with a groove down the middle, a little 
more than half the width of the side of the brick, leaving two 
shoulders, each of which will be nearly equal to one half of the 
groove. When these bricks are laid in courses, the shoulders ef 
