Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/624

 500 The Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal. [Feb., a highly, ornamental structure, well adapted for any eminence, or other loca- tion, where it would become a prominent feature in the landscape ; and would form a highly decorative and pleasing object, either in the garden or pleasure- ground. The profuseness of ornamen- tation, lavished on it, which would ap- pear in a villa inconsistent, here becomes natural and appropriate, and can be appreciated by every one. In the accompanying plate, we have given some of the details of this Suramer- House, showing, on a somewhat larger scale, a few of the more prominent orna- ments. The plan and elevation show the manner of framing. The principal timbers are five (5) inches square, cross section, with corners chamfered ; the brackets of two (2) inch stuff; the pan- eling one and a-half (1^) inches thick. Fig. 1. Apex of Gable, with finial. Fig. 2. Cornice, showing brackets and Ridge finish. Fig. 3. Panels in Tympanum. Fig. 4. Spandrel panels. Fig. 5. Square panels next Tympanum. Fig. 6. Square panels in Cornice of Wing. Fig. 7. Centre panels of the same, giving an- other treatment of design. The building should be painted either of a drab or a fawn color ; the chamfers and the edges of the small scroll work, red. The lions also should be outlined in red. The roof should be slated, diamond pattern, and varied in color. The floor to be laid with narrow boards and elevated one foot above the ground. MERRICK'S PATENT SAFETY APPLIANCE FOR HOISTING-CAGES. THE use of power hoisting-machines, of which an essential element is a platform, or cage, on which goods can be quickly loaded and unloaded, has, of late, become- so general, as to be con- sidered almost indispensable, where goods have to be handled in large quan- tities. In these machines, appliances for the prevention of accidents, caused by the breaking of the hoisting-rope, have come to be a necessity ; but still more are they required, where, as in large hotels, thejr are used exclusively for the carry- ing of passengers from floor to floor, and where, in case of accident, loss of life is almost sure to follow. The general principle on which it has been attempted to make these machines safe, is that of fitting them with iron racks, secured to timbers, extending the whole height of the hoistway, into which level's shall engage, whenever the strain is taken off of the hoisting-rope. Springs are usually applied to the levers, in such manner, that, while the hoisting-rope is intact, they are in a state of compression, and ready to force the safety-levers into the racks, so soon as the strain is slack- ened. Unfortunately, springs are not wholly reliable, it veiy frequently hap- pening that, just at the time when their action is of vital consequence, the}' are found to be broken, or to have lost their elasticity. The object of the improvement, of which the accompanying engraving is an illustration, is to provide a certain means for preventing the fall of the cage in consequence of accident to-the hoist- ing-rope or chain. In this device the operation of the arresting levers is assured, as they are engaged with the rack instantly, in case of the breakage of the hoisting-rope, by means of a counterbalance or weight, which, when the cage or platform is ascending, is moving in a contrary direction, thus giving the additional advantage of re- ducing the weight of the cage. When-