Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/734

 592 1 he Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal. [Mar., were steadily employed under the old order of things, were driven to other channels of labor. We may saj', that this sudden change brought upon the latter many privations, and caused no little suffering, because it effectually de- prived them of employment, until oppor- tunity opened up other pursuits. These are calamities, however, following the introduction of almost all machinery; but time eventual'y establishes an equi- librium, and all share, to a greater or less extent, the benefit of such improve- ments. As the merits of this invention be- came appreciated, and its efficiency established beyond all cavil, no little excitement was created throughout the country. Large factories were estab- lished in the principal cities for the pur- pose of supplying dealers with moulding and frames. Steam-power was applied to the machines, and the article was fur- nished at a still greater reduction in price, while new styles and varieties of patterns were constantly multiplying. This reduction created a demand from a large portion of the population, whose limited means heretofore prevented them from patronizing dealers in these arti- cles. Now, however, they were placed within the reach of all, and it is not sur- prising that the manufactories were driven to their utmost capacity, nor that new establishments should spring up in every direction. With this increase, came a demand for various styles of crooked work, such as oval, elliptic, and arch-top frames. The science and skill of the trade be- came centred iii efforts to reach a hi her degree of perfection, and each year brought its improvements in machinery, as well as in new styles and patterns of work. From 1850 to 1860, a number of patents were issued for new inventions, with the view of adding still greater facilities to those already in existence. Some of these were taken out in other countries; and, up to the present period, manufacturers are striving to excel each other by experimenting and inventing with the hope of surpassing all former efforts. And yet, in view of the present most complete process, it seems almost impossible that it should be excelled. When we reflect that a frame which cost in 1850 five dollars, can now be pur- chased for forty cents, one would sup- pose that ambition and enterprise in this business had found its limit. Up to 1 855, large quantities of mould- ing, and other picture-frame work, were imported from abroad, because of the cheapness of foreign labor. This, for a time, caused quite a depletion of the j home trade ; but when the inventions we have alluded to were introduced, the reaction was so complete, as to wholly shut out foreign competition. In 1 860, the American manufacturers commenced sending goods, in considerable quanti- ties, back to their former competitors ; and, from that time to this, we have continued to suppfv them to some ex- tent. The exportation to Europe of mouldings and frame work, now consti- tutes an important trade item. To counteract this dependence upon American manufactures, a number of foreign dealers came to this country and purchased some of our patents for the necessary machinery to manufacture it there. This has not, however, lessened the foreign demand ; for the reduction which followed improved machinery, has placed the article within the reach of the European masses as it did of those in this country. Indeed, the demand at home and abroad keeps pace with the. increased facilities for manufacturing ; and it is reasonable to suppose that public taste will not suffer the least abatement for many years to come, if ever. We regard the science of ornamenta- tion as practical in its uses, and as per- manent in purpose, as any other that gives comfort or lends refinement to our race, and contributes no little to the social elevation of society. It combines