Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/904

 736 The Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal. [May, QUERIES AND RESPONSES. Cabinet Maker. — We have seen beds, raised five i'eet from the floor, to which a flight of steps was a necessary adjunct. We have also seen beds reduced to twenty inches height. And so through all the intermediate grades. As to the dimensions of the bedsteads of former times ; they were in accordance with the rank of the owner. The largest bedstead on record is that of the very portly individual known to history under the title of Henry VIII, at Windsor Castle. It was eleven feet square ! li. — You save the space usually given to the hall, by placing the hall-door on the side, sheltered by a porch ; more- over you gain side windows for your front parlor. Historicus — It was in the reign of Charles II of England, that windows were first hung with sash-lines. L. — To illustrate the articles, descrip- tive of Cathedrals or Minsters, would be very costly, and the engravings would necessarily displace others of more im- mediate practical value to the great bulk of our readers. Yero, New York. — We cannot say what the Commissioners having charge of the New Post-office in your city are doing, or arc going to do. Time de- velops all things — even to a new Post- office. In another place we allude to this subject. Mechanic. — We would commend you to the Scientific American, the oldest, and far the best publication, for the use of workingmen [and, indeed any men, for that matter] which is now published in the Old or New World. Its articles are clear and comprehensive, unbur- dened with theories worked out in alge- bra, and intended more for utility than mere clispla}^. Builder. — Yes, it is not so easy to detect discrepancies in the Renaissance, as in the early classic stjdes, for the simple reason, that there is a multitude of parts, and great diversity of orna- ment, in the former; whilst in the lat- ter, the decoration is comparatively so slight, and the members so distinct, and so few, that the eye detects an incon- gruity with little difficulty. PERIODICALS Treatise on the Power of Water, as applied to drive Flour Mills, and to give motion to Turbines and other Hydrostatic Engines. By Joseph Glynn, F. R. S. This is the Third edition of one of the most useful of the highly intellectual little books which have for years emanated from Weale's Architectural Library, London. The author is an eminent civil engineer who is ever anx- ious to benefit the world by his genius and experience, and in the little volume before us he has proved himself a philanthropist, as well as a thoroughly scientific man. There is a great amount of interesting information thoroughly illustrated in its pages, from which we shall occasionally select. This American edition is creditable to its publisher, D. Van Nostrand, N. Y. This Inventors and Manufacturers' Gazette. — This is the title of another aspirant to usefulness and fame, at a still more reduced price than any of its compeers. It is numberless, so that we cannot say how long it may have been before the public, and, merely guessing by its terms (one dollar a year) we suppose it to be a monthly. It contains a goodly amount of extracts and a list of patents issued at Washington during the month of Feb- ruary. Published by Saltiel & Co, New Yorlc. Hours at Home. — No. 6 has just come to hand ; it is full of good reading, instructive and recreative. Scribner, Ne.io York, publishes it. The Scientific American. — This veteran utilitarian of mechanical knowledge is still leading the march of mind in our country. Inventive genius owes much to the old "Scientific," and the debt is growing larger each week. Let the interest run on, the readers are willing as long as they mentally thrive under its influence. Munn & Co., 37 Park Row, New York. Godet's Lady's Book is one of those evergreens of lit- erature which Time delights in keeping fresh, and the ladies admire the wisdom he displays in so doing. The Western Monthly. — The April issue, being No. 4 of this Chicago Monthly, speaks well for its prospects of success. Its contents are fresh and varied. The illustra- tion is a finely executed likeness, on steel, of Hon. Anson S. Miller, LL.D., accompanied by an interesting biograph- ical sketch. The Manufacturer and Builder, New Tore. — The April number came out a vast improvement on preceding numbers. The illustrations are numerous and good. The subjects treated are of interest, and made more interesting by their treatment. The Scientific American is evidently not content with its success, but keeps on the advance all the time. Van Nostrand's Eclectic Engineering- Magazine has reached its fourth month, and proves itself to be a highly useful selecter and condenser. Engineers wanted just such a work, and will surely sustain it, for its great use- fulness in gleauing the very knowledge they need.