Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/901

 1869.] Iron-Proof Construction. 733 FIRE-PROOF CONSTRUCTION IN the first number of this EtEViEWthere appeared a full notice of Gilbert's Patent Iron Archied Ceiling for ren- dering buildings fire-proof in which the name of the proprietor, Mr. J. S. Thorn, was omitted, and that of the patentee alone given, thus doing Mr. T. a great injustice, of course unintentionally on our part, and not having been informed of the facts of the case, we could not hitherto correct it. We now hasten to make amends to Mr. Thorn, and at the same time to assure him that we regret exceedingly not having known of the matter before. As regards the S3'stem of Iron arches for ceilings, the months which have passed since the article in question appeared have accumulated evidence of the absolute necessity for such safe- guards in construction as those of Gil- bert's patent. Fire has produced its usual consequences, and the community have been many times aroused to the fearful fact of the inflammable material which constitutes the principal part of the construction of our buildings, es- pecially those occupied as dwellings. The introduction in late years of iron for bressumers, tie beams, and in fact as a complete substitute for timber, although so general in our new public buildings, should be applied to our dwellings as well. Human life is of too much value to be left without this ad- mirable insurance against fire, and we see no reason why any petty notion of economy should prevent the introduc- tion of this protector into our houses. Gilbert's patent is a method of corru- gated iron ceilings presenting strength combined with comparative lightness, and economy of material, and therefore of cost. It saves plastering, and is sus- ceptible of any and eveiy ornamentation on its surface, which, coated with enamel paint, can be made to present an appear- ance which the most expensive work in stucco-plastering must fail to rival. But, above all, and before all, is the grand fact of its being perfectly fire- proof. We have not the slightest hesi- tancy in commending the Gilbert patent to our readers as prominent amongst the best of the iron constructions of ceilings ; and we sincerely hope to see them speedily introduced into the building of our dwellings, as well as our public institutions. It affords us plea- sure to know that during the past year large contracts have been made in various parts of the country for this Iron Arched Ceiling. And there is no good reason why it should not come into general use, not alone in public build- ings, but also in private houses, where, with the aid of tasteful design, the architect might make it an attractive feature. Illuminated Clocks. — Our London contemporaries are making various propositions for illuminating the public clocks on Church steeples and other buildings, all of which are worthy of at least a thought. One, and decidedly the most to be avoided, is the making gas tubes of the hands, and lighting them up all along in jets. It would be quite as lucid an idea to have the hands of glass cast hollow and filled with phos- phorus. The one light would be just as lasting as the other, especially on a windy night whose darkness would make a clock's illuminated information de- sirable-. Found its Level. — After over half a centuiy of flirting and coquetting with the winds, from all parts of the compass, the gilty old weathercock on the spire of Cuckfield Church, in England, has fallen down. It is well that vane things should cease to a-sjnre to the highest positions in the church.