The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1850-08-28
fFrom The Baltimore sun.]
Cast Iron buildings.

was erected about two yea, ssincc in
NeW-York by Mr.. Bofgardus,
mechanic of the highest order of gen.
ius and talent. 1t was built for his
own business, (building cast iron
houses, } and ism complete and beau
tiful structure. phc next of import.
ance in size, and'of an, entirely orig
NAL design, will be erected in BaltI-
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 Buil0ings.-Public
attention has been aroused to the ne
cessity ofadoptipg some method of
building which Will cfFectually pre-
vent the spread of a confagration
when it occurs in the business por-
tions of our city, and the lamcntablc
destruction of property consequent
aponit.
The Sun newspaper has recently
taken up the subject warmly, and is
advocating tho passage of a law,
s"That no building shall hereafter be
erected except it is Fire proef."
The operation of such a law would
appear at first impracticable, 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 pridciplc or burthcning the
builder with any additional expense.
The public probably do not suRi-
eiently appreciate the fact, that we
have at hand material destined, as
IT by Providence, to be applied to
just such purpose; we refer to iron
"a meterial 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.
Theaspace Of a newspaper article
is too limited to allow of full dis.
cussion upon the peculiar adaptation
OF iron for the purposes alluded to,
but q few of its most obvious advant-
ages may be enumerated.
j kirst-As regards form and shape.
Forms which stone could never be
made to assume. varying from the
lightest fairy structures to the most
elaborate designs Of the Grccian or
Gothic.
Saving of space in foundations,
discarding the cumbrous pile of
stones, and substituting q firmer and
more compact base.
The capability of being speedily
and easily erected, or of being taken
down and removed without loss of
time or material.
Protection against lightning--a
philosophical certainty.
Security against fre-In addition
to the iron presenting no Stood 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 connagration, or
cracked by the Sudden application of
water, even were it brought to a
white heat.
Vcntilation--the nature of the
material aitording the best method of
securing the most perfect system OF
ventilation.
Facilities for the transmission of
sonnd--a desidcratum in all churches
or public buildings adapted for large
audiences.
Absence Of vermin avoidance of
mildew and absorption of dampness.
For the application of paint-tbo
best known material, affording be;.-
ty Of external finish with protection
from the weather.
Durability, strength and 6rmncss,
in particulars for factories emplovin"
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.-Thc slight effects of
time and wear, the slight repairs
necessary, and the ease and small cx.
pense with which additions may be
made.
The repetition of form. Through
the medium of castings, single de.
sign may be multiplied thousand
times at the simple expense of the
IRON, saving time and manual labor.
The peculiar adoption of iron to
tho formation of circulinoar and
graceful lines i'll eontradistinction to
the rectangular and perpendicular.
The severe rules which govern the
Gothic and Graeian ctruotura, IN tho