A very nice plan for building what may be called a half-stone or veneer-stone house, is as follows: On the completed foundation wall, back some five inches from the outer edge of the water-table, a frame, as for a frame house, is erected of two by six-inch studding in the usual manner, and then boarded on the inside; fill in from the outside five inches thick with brick and mortar against boarding, and on top of water-table, outside of brick and mortar, set with cement a veneer of sawed stone four inches thick, of convenient size, and anchor each stone to the studding with small iron hooks. So build up, fitting in window sills and caps, and finish with modern gothic roof, and the house is, to all outward appearance, of solid stone.

We can see no reason why buildings erected by this plan are not as durable as most houses. The wood is thoroughly protected, and if the foundation wall is well laid, no damage can arise from settling. We know of some such houses that have been standing for many years, and are said to be in a perfect state of preservation.

Brick veneer is made on the same principle. One four-inch course of brick is laid from the foundation to top of outer wall, anchored once in five courses, and the building is taken for one of solid brick. The framing for these should be quite dry, and rendered very strong by bridging.

This class of buildings, we think, should not be encouraged in city or town where houses are so compact, as in case of fire the whole wall may tumble down when least expected, burying the firemen under it. Being but four inches thick, such walls in reality furnish but little protection against intense heat from surrounding buildings on fire.

Houses of brick or stone are, in consequence of thick walls, much warmer in winter and cooler in summer than buildings of wood. The walls should be furred by fastening strips to them and lathing to these strips, leaving a dead space between the plaster and brick or stone. This keeps out the moisture, and prevents the annoyance of " sweating " walls. If the cellar of any house is not a perfectly dry our, put on one coat of good mortar overhead. This effectually prevents the passing of dampness from the cellar, and makes a warm first floor.

The modern brick houses of more elaborate finish are now trimmed with some of the many fine stones to be found in different localities. The contrast produced by the fine red of the brick and the quiet shades of the stone in sills, belting-courses, window and door caps, and the various other ways in which it may be needed, is very pleasing indeed. We think it desirable to lay the stone flush with the brick; this keeps it cleaner, and it stands better. Pro-jecting belts and courses must drop off the water, which leaves soiled marks in its course.

When the foregoing facts are carefully weighed, we think that the majority will agree with us in saying that when it is intended to put over four thousand dollars into a house, it should be constructed of brick or stone, or both, if the locality is such that it can be done without exaggerated difference in cost.

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