The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1850-08-28

cast lrons ls beginning to attract con-
siderable attention throughout the
country. Tie first entire cast iron
building constructed in this country
was erected about two yealssincc in
New-York by Mr.. Borgardus, a
mechanic of the highest order Of gen.
ius and talent. It was built for his
own business, Gbuildins cast iron
houses, } and isa complete and beau
tiful structure., The next of import.
ance IN size, and'of an. entirely orig
NAL design, will be erected in Baltl-
more for the Sun newspaper, which
we hope will do credit to all the
different mechanics and laborers
engaged in its construction, and
prove an ornament to our city.
We find the following on the sub.
,iect Of cast iron buildings in the Now.
York Mirror:
Cast Iron Bua0ings.-Public
attention has been aroused to the ne
ccssity Of fadopsing some method of
building which viii cfFectually pre-
vent the spread Of conHagration
when it occurs in the business por-
tons Of our city, and the lamcntablc
destruction of property consequent
upomis.
The Sun newspaper has recently
taken up the subject warmly, and is
advocating the passage of a law,
"That no building shall hereafter be
erected except it is Fire proef."
The operation of such law would
appear at first impracticablc, but a
little reflection will satisfy every one
that it would not only be entirely
feasable, but would attain the end so
much to be desired, without involving
any new pridciple OF burthening the
builder with any additional expense.
The public probably do not snfli.
GENTLY appreciate the fact, that we
have at hand a material destined, as
fby Providence, to be applied to
just such purpose; we refer to iron
"a mcterial better adapted to the
construction Of houses for living,
manufacturing, or public purposes,
than either brick, wood or stone, and
one susceptible of being worked with
more ease, beauty and economy than
any other in use.
TheFspace of 4 newspaper article
is too limited to allow of a full dis.
cussivn upon the peculiar adaptation
of iron for the purposes alluded to,
but few of its most obvious advant-
ages may be enumerated.
ktrst-As regards form and shape.
Forms, which stone could never be
made to assume, varying from the
hghtest fairy structures to the most
elaborate designs of'the Greeian or
Gothic.
Saving of space in foundations,
discarding the cumbrous pile of
stones, and substituting firmcr and
more compact base.
The capability of being speedily
and easily erected, or of being taken
down and removed without q loss of
time or material.
Protection against lightning--a
philosophical certainty.
Security against frc-In addition
to the iron presenting no "food for
fire" naturally, in the formation of
the parts Of an iron building, it can
never be injured by contraction in
the event Of internal confagration, or
cracked by the sudden application of
water, even were it brought to a
white heat.
Ventilation--the nature of the
material afiording the best method of
securing the most perfect system of
ventilation.
Facilities for the transmission of
sound--a desidcratum in all churches
or public buildings adapted for large
audiences.
Absence Of vermin -avoidanc of
mlldew and absorption Of dampncss.
For the application of paint--thc
pest known material, attordlny a bean
ty Of external finish with protection
from the weather.
Durability, strength and Grmncss,
in particular for factories emp'ovim.
steam and heavy machinery.
strengthening properties Of iron
for the constitution, as principle Of
health.
External and internal ornamental
finish by the means of castings.
Economy.--The slight effects of
time and wear, the slight repairs
necessary, and the ease and small ex.
pense with which additions may be
made,
The repetition of form Through
the medium Of castings, a single de.
sign may be multiplied a thousand
times at the simple expense of the
iron, saving time and manual labor.
The peculiar adoption of iron to
the formation of circulincar and