Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/967

 1869.] Queries and Responses. 791 QUERIES AND RESPONSES. Inquirer, Rushville, Indiana. — The term porch is derived from the French porche, and means in architecture a gate entrance or hall doorway. Portico is from the Italian portico, and has in archi- tecture a loftier signification, implying the presence of columns, which the other does not. The word piazza is Italian, and means an enclosed square, with arched walks around it ; it is used also in the sense of a raised walk around a dwelling, either covered by arches or simply balustraded. Verandah is from the Portuguese word varanda, and is used in architecture to denote a light, open gallery in front of a dwelling, covered by a sloping roof of fanciful construction. The verandah is really a feature of the Oriental style, although frequently used in connection with Ve- netian, Italian, French, and even the Domestic Gothic styles, in this country and in England. You ask, What is water-lime ? It is a lime which resists the action of water, and orows hard under its influence. In this it differs from slake or common lime, which lets off its caloric or latent heat to admit the water, and falling to pieces under its influence becomes reduced to powder. In the Western States water-lime is known as "cement" — sometimes " hy- draulic cement." But it is the hydraulic or water-lime which, with water, makes the cement. Therefore the name " lime " is more correct as applied to the dry pow- der in barrels sold for building purposes. Eva. — Passages around scaffoldings of new buildings ought to be made more reliable than is generally the case. Baltimore. — It is our intention to pay special attention, in the next vol- ume of the Review, to the wants of the working-class. For that purpose we have laid out a course to be followed which will, we doubt not, give satisfaction. Papier Mache. — This manufacture is not new, and it is a decided proof of its durability that ceilings are now in ex- istence in many parts of Europe which were constructed over two centuries ago, and are yet in perfectly sound con- dition. This material, from its extreme lightness, is most desirable in ceilings, cornices, and centre-pieces ; it is capable of receiving the sharpest and most elab- orate impressions, and in this is fully equal to plaster, with the superiority of being so much less heavy than the latter. Ornamental work in papier mache may be glued on, and is often secured with screws. The use of this exquisite ma- terial enables the architect to indulge in most exuberant fancies of ornamenta- tion, colored and gilded. The rapidity and cleanliness with which such work can be put up give it a very great ad- vantage over stucco plaster. Joiner, New Haven. — Yes, sliding- doors are coming generally into use. Single doors are seldom made on the sliding principle, but we know of some instances where such have been intro- duced in parlors and drawing-rooms. There is no good reason for not using them for single doors when we consider the fact that thej r do not hide furniture, and are not in the way as hinged-doors are. There are many instances in which single sliding-doors would offer great advantages in the laying out of plans, and as to their expense the comfort se- cured would amply cover the difference between them and hinged-doors. Draughtsman. — Drawing-paper is sel- dom secured with bottle wax. We have seen that mode used in some offices, but the cleaning of the board when the paper is removed leaves seams and ruts. Paste, glue, or gum answer very well for the purpose. Anglo. — The London Architect has not yet made its appearance on our table.