Page:Encyclopædia Britannica, Ninth Edition, v. 4.djvu/562

Rh 500 BUILDING [CABINET-MAKING both, and the mode of execution being the same. Correct ness and strict uniformity are not so essential in movable, as in the fixed parts of buildings ; they are also more under the dominion of fashion, and therefore are not so confined by rules as the parts of buildings. Cabinet-mak ing offers considerable scope for taste in appropriate and beautiful forms, and also in the choice and arrangement of coloured woods. It requires considerable knowledge of per spective, and also that the artist should be able to sketch with freedom and precision. If the cabinet-maker intend to follow the higher departments of his art, it will be necessary to study the different styles of architecture, in order to make himself acquainted with their peculiarities, so as to impress his works with the same character as that of the rooms they are to furnish. In cabinet-work the French workmen are certainly superior to the English, at least as far as regards external appearance ; but when use as well as ornament is to be considered, the latter certainly carry away the palm. The appearance of French furniture is much indebted to a superior method of polishing, which is now generally known in England. The method of making and using French polish is minutely described in Dr Thomson s Annals of Philosophy, vol. xi. pp. 119 and 371. For many purposes, however, copal varnish (such as coach- makers use) is preferable ; it is more durable, and bears an excellent polish. Foreign oak is much used for cabinet work ; and lately, the fine curled oak that is got from excrescences produced by pollard and other old trees has been used with success in furniture. When well managed it is very beautiful, and makes a pleasing variety. It is relieved by inlaid borders of black or white wood, but these should be sparingly used. Borders of inlaid brass, with small black lines, give a rich effect to the darker coloured kinds, as in buhl-work. Cedar is occasionally used for small fittings, or for cupboards where woollens and furs are stored. Ebony and imitation ebony are useful for cases. Russian birch has of late years been largely in request for bedroom furniture from the cleanly appearance of it. But of all woods mahogany has maintained its place since the first introduction of it in the end of last century. The japanner is now seldom employed to give a colour to wood, as variety can be obtained by staining, heightened by varnishing ; or the plain deal or pine is polished or varnished like mahogany or oak. Patterns or lines are stencilled or burnt in according to one or other of the many patents now before the public. Many curious works on furniture were published in the reigns of Louis XIV. and XV. ; those by Sir W. Chambers and the Adams also deserve attention. Cruden s Joiner s and Cabinet-maker s Dar ling, 8vo, 1770, is a curious book. In ornamental composition much benefit may be derived from Tatham s Etchings of Ancient Ornamental Architecture, London, 1799 ; Percier and Fontaine s Rccueil des decorations interieures comprenant (out cc qui a rapport a VAmcublemcnt, Paris, 1812 ; and, for general information, Shera ton s Cabinet Dictionary, 1803, and his Cabinet-maker and Uphol sterer s Drawing-Book, 4to, 1793, may be referred to. Bridgen s Designs for Furniture, fol. 1826, and Shaw s Details of Elizabethan Architecture, 4to, 1839, are of much value. But the most impor tant works that can be consulted at the present time are the various illustrated publications relative to the Great Exhibitions in London and Paris (1851, 1855, and 1862), where some of the finest specimens of carpentry in the world were exhibited. The most accessible to the English reader are the Art Journal and the Illustrated London News. SLATER-WORK. The slater works his material, slates, for the protec tion of a building by covering the roof timbers with it, in the same manner as a bricklayer works his tiles. Besides this, which is his chief business, he supplies sawn slates for shelving in larders and dairies, for tanks and cisterns, for pavements, steps, and landings, for panels of doors, for covering hips and ridges, and a few other purposes. Enamelled slate for chimney-pieces, lavatories, and similar applications is of great utility. The slater s principal tool is a large knife or chopper Tools, called a saixe, sax, or zax, with which, before he begins to work on a roof, he shapes and trims the slates on the ground, sitting on one end of a stool, which forms a sort of bench and has uprights by which to square the slate. With this knife he strikes off the unevenness on one side of a slate, making it as nearly straight as he can; he then runs a gauge along it, marking the greatest width the slate will bear, and, cutting to that Hue, makes it perfectly parallel. He next, with a square, brings the thickest and best end to right angles with the sides, generally by chopping, but sometimes by sawing ; and then marking upward from the squared foot or tail, makes two nail holes, where, by calculating the gauge the slate in hand will bear, he knows the batten must come. He also uses a drag, which is a long flat piece of iron having a cutting edge at the top and hooked on each side ; when he has to strip a roof, he forces it between the slates, and pushes out or cuts off the heads of the nails, and thus the slate is loosened. He has also a couple of knee pads to kneel upon while at work. The best slate obtained in Britain is from the quarries Qualit of Bangor in Carnarvonshire. The Llangollen quarries slate - are remarkable for the size of the slates that can bo obtained. The Delabole quarries in Cornwall have been worked for a considerable period, and supply a grey blue slate. Good slate is also procured in the neighbourhood of Tavistock in Devonshire. An esteemed pale blue green slate is obtained from Kendal in Westmoreland. Cumber land sea green slates are shipped from Maryport. Whitland Abbey green slates are much in vogue. The Ballachulish quarries in the north of Scotland are extensive, and supply a good quality. In Ireland are several, of which the A r alentia, co. Kerry Killaloe, co. Tipperary ; Benduff, co. Cork ; and those in co. Wicklow, are the best. The best slate is of a bluish-grey colour, which breaks before the zax like well-burnt pottery, and will ring in the same manner on being struck. Whitish or light grey- coloured slate is for the most part stony ; dark blue or blackish slate, on the other hand, cuts very freely, but it absorbs moisture and decays rapidly. The best slates have a hard and rough feel, whilst an open absorbent slate feels smooth and greasy. Though slate is classed among the incombustible materials, it must not be depended upon for resisting fire, as unfortunately it will crack and fall to pieces at no very high temperature. The scantlings of slate are cut in the quarries to sot Sizes. sizes, and these are split into tablets, thicker or thinner according to the size of the slab and the nature of the slate ; for the inferior qualities are neither so compact in material, nor so clearly laminated or schistose, as the superior, and will not therefore rend so freely. The sizes of slates best known in the British market are distinguished by the names of ladies, countesses, duchesses, and queens. Ladies measure 15 inches by 8, countesses 20 inches by 10, duchesses 24 inches by 12, and queens 36 inches by 24, and they are valued in pro portion to their magnitude. Besides these, there is a slate which equals the queen in extent of surface, but is of very much greater thickness ; this is called Welsh rag. A smaller slate, again, which is less indeed than the lady, and is cut from the refuse of large scantlings, is called a double ; in size it does not often exceed 1 2 inches by 6. Westmoreland slates are thick and heavy like the Welsh rag, but do not generally run so large. The principle on which slates are laid is the same as that