Part 1

The Builder, No. 2, February 18, 1843.

_SATURDAY, February 18, 1843._

The various speculations and expressions of opinion to which our movements have given rise would, if accurately noted, supply the most interesting exposition of what we have to contend with on the one hand, and what we have to encourage us on the other. We should gather from it the most convincing testimony of the necessity of some such effort as that which we are now making to remove the general ignorance on all points connected with Building, whether as regards the science or its professors and practitioners. Grave and experienced men are to be found who hold up their hands in astonishment at the rashness, as they consider it, of our enterprise—men who argue upon general principles against the success of our plan. They say the Builders are not a reading class, nor a class at all, either in themselves or their connection, to support a periodical like the one we propose to give. The publishers in particular, and they, in their experience on all points connected with publication, are certainly entitled to be considered oracles—the publishers generally have but a mean opinion, or say they can form no opinion at all of the probabilities of success. They confess themselves astonished at the numbers of the Building Class; but they mistrust the conclusions to which we have come upon the data which these numbers supply. So little have publishers had to do with the Building Class, and so little the Builders with the publishers, that they might have lived on the opposite sides of the same globe as regards the acquaintance each has with the other for any practical interchange of their mutual special interests; but we propose to bring them into more intimate union, and to make the publisher at least confess that he knew not one half the territory over which his appointment was designed to extend.

But there are parties connected with the arts who might have been supposed to have lived in something like a consciousness of the immense, as it is intimate, alliance that subsists between them and the Builders as members, it may be said, of one common fraternity; and these are as ignorant of the more important facts as it is possible to suppose men to be. An eminent sculptor addressed us the other day in a strain of this character: “The Builders,” said he, “are too small a body to support a class paper; look around you,” he continued, “and you find them dotted here and there only, and not like the Shoemakers, or the Publicans, or the Butchers, meeting you at every turn.” It should be stated that he had seen our Precursor Number. We asked him if he was aware of the fact the Carpenters alone outnumbered the Shoemakers, and that the whole body of Builders are as five to one of that very numerous class: that in round numbers we had 130,000 Carpenters, 60,000 Masons, 40,000 Bricklayers, 30,000 Painters, Plumbers, and Glaziers, and so on. And that these were an intelligent, a reading, a thinking, and provident class, and well to do in the world. At this he expressed his surprise, but yet in such terms as to shew us that there was a leaven of incredulity mixed with it. Again we referred to them as an advertising class, on which he seemed amazed, but more so when we pointed out to him seventy-one advertisements in the Precursor, and expressed our belief that shortly it would amount to five times that number. On this head, indeed, it would be easy for us to give convincing proof, were we so disposed, and we know not but we may, for the curiosity of the matter, some day do it; we could print the largest part of a paper in thickly-set advertisements pertaining to building, and all selected from the London and provincial papers of one week: sales and falls of timber, of brick earth, and minerals; of building land and general building materials; businesses to be disposed of, contracts to let, situations wanted, and the like; indeed, there is no such class, no class so much in need of, and so well able to support their own weekly paper. Other parties we have met with, and reports have been brought to our ears, from men moving in the very ranks of the workmen themselves, who express a most disparaging opinion, not of our objects, or our exertions, but of their fellow-workmen; they say, in as many words, that “we are throwing pearls before swine.” The plan is good, they admit; but they urge that the mass of the workmen are too fond of amusements, and so given to low and sensual indulgences, as to deny the hope that they will, to any extent of numbers, seek to benefit by it. These people, we are afraid, measure their class by themselves. Others again urge, that the reading appetite is vitiated and depraved, and that unless we pander to the passions of the multitude “by strong and exciting and vulgar matter” (we use their own words), we may look in vain for subscribers. Against all these we have to contend, and we are utterly opposed to them in opinion on all such grounds as the foregoing; but in one point we agree,—we certainly have an uphill affair. The ground we have chosen is unoccupied and untrodden. We have a great task in reversing the usage of centuries. We must, therefore, call upon the workmen themselves to aid us in fighting their own battle,—not a battle against interests or individuals, but against ignorance and exclusion. And we reiterate our call on the friends of the working classes, for whose satisfaction, and the satisfaction of all who care to know it, we now make our profession of purpose as regards the end and object of our labours.

We do not want to inflame the mind of the workman with discontent; we do not want to unsettle or disturb the relations of society; we do not wish to raise any man above his proper condition. On the contrary, we would promote and teach contentment; we would settle and consolidate; we would give every man his own proper level. We consider that it is too much the tendency of the agitation of these times to effect the opposite of all this. The best words are perverted from their true meaning or misunderstood; a false principle pervades and regulates our intentions, and the world runs counter to its own wishes, by reason of its neglect of simple truths, which he who runs may read.

As regards that much abused word education, and as to our purpose to educate the workman, a right understanding will suffice to disarm it of its terrors in the minds of many who have seen in its perversion or abuse that which they have ascribed to education itself. What is an educated man? Here we fancy we hear ten thousand voices exclaim, What a question! And yet we challenge the whole of that ten thousand to give the true answer, if they reply in the generally accepted meaning of the term. Education is too frequently confounded with book-learning, and that is considered to be knowledge which is only the key to it. Take your educated man, as he is called, and put him into the workshop or the sphere of operation in that art on which he descants so learnedly, and he must give way (at first at least) to the unlettered, or, as he is termed, the uneducated artificer and labourer. A mind well stored with the facts that bear upon any particular art, may be likened to a well-furnished chest of tools; but it requires a practised hand to apply those tools with skill and to a useful purpose—all the rest is mere theory; and of this sort of theory we have a great deal too much now-a-days.

Aye! we will take the rude, unlettered Carpenter of the most obscure country workshop, and match him as an educated man against the most learned pundit of our universities. We do not mean to say that the Carpenter is a better man for his rudeness, or because he may read or write badly, or not at all; but we take this as an illustration of the meaning we attach to the word education in its practical sense, and we will now say a word as to its bearing on the course we have chalked out for ourselves.

It is true that the relations of society and its workings in these times appear very mysterious, confused, and complicated; but what does it arise from? Does any man imagine it to be more difficult to regulate domestic or civic government now, than it was in the simplest state of pastoral life? Not a whit the more, provided the education of the heart, the bringing out of its virtuous tendencies be properly studied and promoted. Teach the workman his duties in the several relations in which he is placed, as much as you aim at making his skilful in the handling of his tools, or the fashioning of his materials, and you have educated him for the whole end of his existence; but he wants few or none of the theories of matters that are above him.

It is to settle then, to calm or quell the agitation of purpose which now disturbs the public mind, to do our part in this, as we conceive, great work of national repair, to bring into harmony the now contending powers and forces, and to assist in our humble way to direct them to one end and object, of peaceful and profitable action, that our exertions will be directed.

And how do we propose to do this? how do we aim to be useful in this work of charity,—for surely charity it must be called which shall effect the ends of peace? Why, by bearing in mind and acting upon the old proverb, “Charity begins at home.” We begin with our class—we begin at home.

Oh! there are conquests more bright, achievements higher, glory greater to be reaped in this sphere than in all the turmoil of politics, or the dread strife of war! Let us wean our countrymen, but particularly that great body of which we have the honour of being a member,—the building class,—from the fretting and exciting consideration of subjects which only tend to unhinge the mind and distract it from acquiring that solid profit which a skilful exercise of his craft procures from every intelligent workman, let the quiet habits of a steady industry be enforced upon ourselves; let our curious and admiring thoughts be bent, so far as business goes, upon the investigation of the principles in science, and the properties in nature which affect the things we construct, and the materials of which they are constructed; let the workshop and the building have our working hours, and our homes and families the rest, even to a participation in our studies, for these in most instances may be made the interest, and now and then the delight of every family circle.

Is it nothing, good countrymen and esteemed fellow-craftsmen, that we have to boast of honours and achievements such as neither military daring, or statesmanlike craft or wisdom has ever attained, or can attain to. What are all the doings of the science of war or government compared with the building up, on clear and well-defined principles, abstract as well as tangible, those stupendous and imperishable memorials of a country’s history which the works of the Architect and the Building Artificer supply. After the lapse of ages of obscurity, we recover, by means of the indelible tracings of the hand of the long departed, a knowledge of the habits, character, and condition of the countries in which they lived and worked. How much of the tale of British history of the fourteenth century, and of following centuries, have to be recorded by the architect and builder of these days? and by those whom their present conduct will influence? How important then it is that there should be none of the trifling in our department, and that we should be alive to the importance of the functions we are called upon to exercise.

The humblest workman of the building class is charged with the duties of the same mission. It will be our part to show them how this duty was discharged in times gone by, and to engage them in the consideration of such subjects, and in the labour of acquiring a similar mastery in their craft with those whose works we call upon them to join us in investigating.

It is thus that we propose to educate—the standard of mechanical and moral excellence must be raised at the same time, and good citizens, as well as able artisans and artists, be trained under one system and together.

OUR CORRESPONDENCE.

It is a pleasing part of our duty to acknowledge the flattering testimonials we have received in favour of our work. Certain of our approving friends have taken the trouble to write, but many more have called at the office, and expressed the warmest interest in the success of THE BUILDER, with a determination to do all in their power to insure it. The Royal Institute of British Architects have, by a special resolution, directed their Honorary Secretary (Mr. Bailey) to acknowledge the reception of our first number, and the Society of Arts have placed it in their library, and thanked us for the presentation. These matters are noted as shewing that a work of this class is recognized by important public bodies as deserving of their especial regard; and we feel assured that as we advance we shall find not only an admission but a welcome to every public and private library in which the literature of art obtains a place.

We have letters of encomium from architects as well as from builders and working men; and as it is for the latter that we are most anxious, feeling assured that when matters are right at the base of the social structure, the ornaments are firmly fixed and supported, so we feel the greater pride in perceiving the interest which the workman takes in our labours. It is the architect, however, and the experienced and liberal master builder, the clerk of works, and foreman, who can assist us to the enlightening of the body of the craft; and we have one grateful specimen of this species of co-operation, from a learned and eminent architect, an extract from which we cannot forbear committing to print.

“I should like to know whether THE BUILDER will assume the character of _Loudon’s Magazine_, or whether you intend it entirely for the working classes—if for the latter, shall you endeavour to bring before them the _principles_ of what they are called upon to labour at, or shall you endeavour to give them a taste for those acquirements which at present are supposed to be possessed by those who direct them? I do not fear any ill from raising the mental condition of the artisan, but see in it much good, at the same time, feel the difficulty of elevating the social condition of so large a mass of the community, and am desirous that when the attempt is made, it should be followed by success.

“To inform the working classes how their labour was performed in ancient days, would be instructive and amusing, and would lead to a better style of workmanship. I will instance the carpenter’s employment—describe the tools, the style of setting out and executing roofs of the middle ages, where neither iron-work nor nails of any kind were employed. The scarfing, the manner of uniting the timbers, &c. &c., are all at variance with modern practice. Then the beautiful manner in which the whole is put together and balanced would be a study calculated to raise him in his own estimation, and satisfy him that he belonged to a superior class of artificers. Emulation would encourage him to do as well or better, to carry the same excellence into minor employments, or, at all events, to understand sufficient to derive pleasure from the examination of many of the specimens left us. A vast deal might be written upon the mere handicraft—much more upon the principles—more still upon the art; and when the design is taken up, the field is too spacious to put bounds to.”

The foregoing so well expresses many of our views that we can hardly encumber it by a comment. We have in another place given our own opinions on the question of “raising the mental condition of the artisan,” and we have also in the same paper attempted to sketch out by what means and for what end we propose to raise it. We shall, therefore, proceed to the letter of another architect, which, as it regards the “getting up,” as it is termed, of the paper, has a practical value in that sense, and will enable us to explain a point or two in reference to it, that may give satisfaction to many.

“SIR,

“As you have invited opinions of your precursor number of THE BUILDER, I take the liberty, as an architect, to express my gratification at the publication of so useful and desirable a periodical, and have very little doubt, if continued as promised in the address, of its becoming a work of great circulation, and one which will effect much benefit to the numerous classes connected with the building art, more particularly to the workman, providing you publish it at a price within his means, for at present, it is much to be regretted, this great class of persons are wholly denied the advantages derived by perusal of works on this science, owing to the high price at which they are from necessity published. I would therefore suggest you give this the fullest consideration, as I feel sixpence will be too high to give THE BUILDER the circulation you desire. Another point requiring attention will be as to the advertisements, both as to quantity and description. If general advertisements are received, it will not so well admit of the title you give to the paper, which should exclude many such as are in the Precursor; and I fear, without much less space is devoted, or that the number of advertisements is compressed by smaller type, you will experience a disappointment in the success of your undertaking. I again beg you will accept the thanks and best wishes of an

“ARCHITECT.”

Now as to price, we think the best answer we can give is the present number. We have been advised to steer clear of too low a price at the commencement, because of the admitted difficulty of alteration in such cases, when found necessary to raise it. We hope no such necessity will arise in this; that the largeness of the subscription-list and of the number of purchasers will fully compensate us for any sacrifice we may make in the outset. With regard to advertisements, it was our wish to confine the list to such as bore directly on building, but to be stringent in this respect would be to deprive the paper of a large power of usefulness. Builders want almost every thing, and are consumers to an immense amount of all sorts of commodities; wherefore, then, should we refuse our columns to advertisements that inform the workman and the master alike of the ready means of supplying their general daily wants? But we make this promise, that the space given to advertisements shall not defraud the inquiring reader of his full share of information and of matter of trade interest; nor shall our friends the advertisers be treated with less consideration for this resolve—the more they bestow their favours upon us, the more shall we study to cater for their advantage, and for every page they add to our sheet we shall in some way or other give a page to the reader, so that the mutual workings of both parties shall be for the mutual good.

We give the next letter, though of some length, entire. It, like the first from which we made an extract, embodies so much of our views and plans, that we would give Mr. Harvey the full credit of his own clear perceptions, by letting it be seen how well he understands the subject upon which he writes, as will be exemplified in the carrying out.

“SIR,

“The general invitation conveyed through the ‘precursor number’ has induced me to offer a few remarks in reference to THE BUILDER.

“‘The _discovery_ of the disease is half the _cure_;’ so in this instance, the primary point to ascertain is, what class stands most in need of the kind of publication contemplated in THE BUILDER. When the vast number directly and indirectly connected with building and mechanical pursuits is considered, there is certainly much cause for encouragement in such a project: at all events, it may be fairly concluded that there is a good _site_; and if the _foundation_ be well studied, there is but little fear of erecting a _durable structure_.

“I have no doubt that THE BUILDER may be rendered worthy the patronage of all the numerous grades named in the list given in the ‘precursor number;’ but bearing in mind ‘the old man and his ass,’ I am of opinion, that out of these several grades, some particular class should be specially borne in view, and that upon the selection of this class mainly depends the success of THE BUILDER.

“Upon a review of such literary works extant as may be deemed the property of that body to whom THE BUILDER is addressed, I think it will be found that no class of men are so ill provided for as _journeymen mechanics_ generally, and this is the class that I would recommend to your preference in the conduct of THE BUILDER; to this class THE BUILDER ought to be considered invaluable in the dissemination of _practical knowledge_,—_extracts from works made inaccessible by their cost_,—_experiments_,—_hints on construction_,—_design_,—_enrichment_, and similar topics; which at the same time would be very acceptable to the more enlightened portion of the building community, and produce inquiry and improvement in the minds of the less experienced and youthful.

“With this view but little will be expected or required of THE BUILDER in the character of a _newspaper_. Further than the limited notice of occurrences appertaining to its title, I would suggest the insertion of the _markets_, or current prices of building materials, &c. &c., and in particular, that an allotted space be given up to the subjects just referred to, to the exclusion of advertisements or any other matter. Probably once a fortnight might suffice for such a work; this point, however, with its price, I will not now enter upon, having already, I fear, trespassed too long on your attention.

“Be assured of my interest in the success of THE BUILDER; to the aid of which my humble tribute will be given with much pleasure.

“I am, Sir, your obedient Servant,

“SIDNEY HARVEY.”

The next letter is from a plasterer, and we make it the occasion of reiterating our intention to give designs of ornaments for plasterers. There is a field of novelty and propriety open to them which we venture to say has scarcely yet been touched upon. Hitherto architectural ornament in plaster-work has been principally confined to imitations of marble, or stone-work and wood. Now this is a perversion and a deception, and a better principle will inevitably obtain, since just and sound views of the principles of design and ornament are beginning to be inculcated. So beautifully plastic a material has its own peculiar province in decoration, and we shall take occasion, as we advance, to throw out practical suggestions for ascertaining and working in it.

“SIR,