The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-08-09
stone Buildings.

being constructed Of tho limestone so album
dant all about us. We marvel that it is not
oftener employed. Perhaps it may be moro
expensive than brick or wood, and that may
be the reason it is so seldom rosorted to, but
We should not think it could be much more
costly. At any rate we wonder that it is
not oftener used for class of dwellings
where n little difference in cost is OF no great
moment to the proprietors. As an article OF
value, once produced, its greater pcrmnnence
is far more than an adequate compensation
for the difference in original cost, and the
trifine additional investment, to such men,
is a valuable one. A well built stone dwell
ling will endure for generations, for Gen.
turtles. But aside from that, its thick. heavy
walls are better protection against both
the fro.ts of winter and the heats Of sum
mer. They are a comfort which it would
seem strange that one who has experienced,
and is ablo TO provide himself with, would
willingly be without.
The thought, however, that We had more
i
Of good taste which our builders so often
commit. The stone which lies about here so
profusslv, furnishes the means Of finer
buildings than any which can be produced
with wood or brick. 1t is Of various shades,
from almost the whitcncss Of ordinary mar
bic to deep blue. And stone Of any shade
between these two can be obtained so as to
preserve, If desirable, in any building per-
feet uniformity Of color. 1t is susceptible
Of high polish, and can be used internally
and externally, with no limit, scarcely, rs to
susceptibility of ornamentation, except the
taste and purse Of the builder. But polish
oil, or hammered, or, laid up under the eye OF
a genuine architect, even in rubble wall, as
general resource for building, and es-
pecialiy as n contrast or diversfcation, it is
every way preferable and more beautiful
And stone dwellings preserve their beauty,
without that continual watchfulness and an
nnal expense for repairs, re-painiins, patch
ing mp, etc, which brick and wood houses
require. Walls Of either Of these materials
soon become weather. beaten and stained.
In lftle time they lose their freshness, look
dull, dilapidated, and need to be re-garnish-
cd A good stone wall is not liable to be
rent, and of such material as may be select
ed here, ii would look as fresh century
hence as the moment il is done. And the
calors it affords are more grateful TO the eye,
,1la ~ bat tod oh
is, really, but an articulate and apprehended
sense OF the feeling Of the common mind,
than that characterless and unpleasant coior
which our brick walls afford, or than the
glazing and painfully uniform eolors which
our wooden buildings generally bear.
But beyond all this. there is u philosophy
of feeling and association which cannot have
escaped the thought OF men of ordinary re
fection,--a philosophy which enters into our
] social life, our home feelings and affections,
i connected with the character Of the house
we live in. There is a ligh.ness and gayet,
! about our brick and wooden buildings which,
though within the resources of the soldier
material. cannot be achieved in il except al
much grcnter expense. But with that alri-
i ness and liseliness come their associate feel
ings Of frailtv and comparative nnimportance
I Ideas are related to one another. and, con-
sciousiy or unconsciously, they exert their
/ power over US. The lighter and the Trailer
the homes we live in. the less our thoughts
and feelings cluster ubou, and center in them.
/ They are not So substantially our homes
they seem more transient; seem more like
..tcpts Of night than the abiding places
Of our friends and families. With the EHt,ti
e, material, there i connected the though,
+, Of pertuancnce aud stcaiincss. Home means
something more: il is u surer and more en-
during place, anl W. hang about il more IN.
hesi,a,,ngly and profusey the wreaths Of oul
affections; II the presence Of no progenitor,
mas hallowed il, we are, in our feelings, more
immediately aud more sensibly connected
with those who are 10 come after us; i
compact the eLdcarments and the pride ant
the yenerableness of the family circle ant
! relation. These are not mere whimsical
speculations. la the hurry and hustle O.
life they may be obscurei or unthough,. of
but they are facts, -facts that deserve med
tatien and heed, facts as important as tn
character and comfort Of our homes.
W. hope. and we trust, that We shall se
the resources Of this Astounding matcria
more largely drawn upon. for the conssrac
ton Of both dwelling and business houses
i and that iss superior value and beauty for al
the purposes Of architecture may be appre
ciated as I: deserves.
CT The partnership between Buchanan
and Victory, in Pennss lvania, has been dis
solved, the latter having withdrawn from
], 5he hru.