Publisher: John Weale Publication date: 1850 Subjects: Technology

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1850. Excerpt: ... PREFACE. On the completion of the last of the four volumes which form my contribution to Mr. Weale's Series of Rudimentary Treatises, a few words on the circumstances under which they have been written may not be out of place. The whole of these four volumes have been written whilst fulfilling professional engagements, the duties of which have left me no leisure for study or literary occupations, and from this circumstance not only has their publication been delayed to an extent that could not have been anticipated by Mr. Weale or myself, but I have been unable to give them that clearness of arrangement and completeness of detail which can only be attained by careful and leisurely revision. I hope, however, that although defective in style and arrangement, and in many points less complete than would have been the case could I have devoted more time to their composition, these volumes may prove of service to those to whom they are especially addressed, viz., to workmen and others engaged in the “ Art of Building,” who wish to obtain a general knowledge of the principles of their art, as a groundwork for the study of those particular branches to which their attention may be specially directed. To those readers who may not have purchased the “ixtt of Building,” it may be necessary to explain that the present volume is written in continuation of the chapter in that work devoted to the subject of “Foundations,” and is intended to give further information on those parts of the subject which could then only be touched upon very briefly. I may also observe, that many subjects which are treated of very fully in other volumes of the rudimentary treatises are here for that reason left unnoticed, or are merely glanced at in a cursory manner; as for example, the blast...

Dobson has a degree in Archeology and a graduate degree in sculpture.