Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/695

 1869.] Descriptions. 559 CARPENTRY AND JOINERY. ITS HISTORY AND PRACTICE. THERE is no one art, connected with Building, which deserves more consideration than that of Carpentry, whether taken in its rough form, or its finer application, which we call Joinery. The former term is applied to the working of heavy timbers, fram- ing, and constructing the essentials, which constitute the stability of an edi- fice. It is valued by the cubic foot. The latter term includes all the interior finishings and ornamental work ; and is valued by the foot superficial. In all new countries, where timber is the most used of all materials for build- ing, the various modes of framing are studied, and practised, to the utmost extent of scientific information on the subject. A thorough knowledge, there- fore, of the relative strength of timbers of various sorts, and the strains to which they ma} T be safely subjected, under cer- tain disposition and arrangement, is absolute^ necessary to the Architect who designs, and to the Builder who constructs edifices. The young Carpenter, who desires to excel at his trade, would do well to study and closely observe the geometri- cal rules, which govern every line of his work ; and not to be content with merely following in the track of those, who went before him, without even attempt- ing to understand the mechanical con- struction of the work, he has just put together. He should acquire a knowl- edge of general elementary principles, at least ; and furnish his mind with all that desirable information, which would enable him to select the best materials, and employ them in the best manner. Unless the builder possesses a consid- erable knowledge of the principles of mechanics, and is thoroughly acquaint- ed with the effects of pressure and the relative strength of materials, he cannot possibly construct any work with that confidence, which commands success. Unless he knows the surest modes of uniting timbers, he cannot undertake those operations, which require framing. Hence the necessity for the beginner applying himself in earnest, until he acquires a complete understanding of all the knowledge, within the range of the art. The practice of Carpentry, in its rudest form, must, of necessity, have commenced in the very earliest aoes ; •^ 3 7 for, in the first attempts at the con- struction of the primitive buildings of those days, Carpentry must have been brought into exercise. It is probable, that the introduction of the pediment roof gave the first idea of framing. The Egyptians and Greeks, using stone in all cases, Carpentry made but little progress amongst them. The Ro- mans used timber; and consequently found the necessity for a knowledge of uniting timbers They also used wood for cornices. In fact, the early theatres and amphitheatres of Rome, and of many parts of Italy, were constructed entirely of wood ; even in the Golden Age of Augustus Caesar. The timbers of the roofs of Roman buildings were often exposed at the ends ; and these were carved and gilded, as in the case of the basilica of St. Peter, erected by Con- stantine the Great. Sometimes they were encrusted with bronze. The modern Italians appear to have given more attention to Carpentry, than any other people. One of their authors, Serlto, lays down, in his voluminous works on this subject, some excellent rules for the framings of floors with short timbers ; and many of the writers on the same subject, of our own time, have taken valuable hints from Serlio. Sir Christopher Wren was undoubt- edly the most scientific of all the Eng- lish publishing architects, who had treated on framing, clown to the times of Charles II. ; and since his day nu- merous works have appeared ; but all so