A key to civil architecture; or, the universal British builder. Containing the principles and properties of building clearly demonstrated, with Illustrations and Definitions, both Theoretical and Practical; and a Dissertation on the Sciences appertaining thereto, as well as the Kindred Requisites of Strength, Convenience, Propriety and Beauty. Also a strict enquiry into the present manner of building and Mode of Finishing, and how far the Taste is consistent with Symmetry and found Reason: Likewise A New Criterion, or Universal Estimator; In which are considered the Quantity and Quality of Materials adequate to the Execution of any Building; their exact Value wherever appropriated; the real and universal Price assigned, proved by the Labour which is required to every Job; and practical Remarks on all the different Branches of a Building, especially on Joiners Works; where the most irksome and difficult Parts are considered and reduced to familiar Practice, by the most judicious and approved Methods. The Principles, Properties, and Consequence of all Sorts of Stairs defined, both with respect to Plans and Execution, as well as the Manner of gluing up all Kinds of Hand-Rails. The Manner and Method of measuring the different Artificers Works, as practised by the most eminent Surveyors, with their Prices to each Work. - Also, the Masters Prices, and a Schedule of Prices for Task-Masters. To which is added, A treatise of arithmetick, Extraction of the Roots, Duodecimals, Mensuration of Superficies and Solids, round and square Timber, &c. with Explanations and Reasons for the Rules. The second edition, corrected, with the addition of two useful plates on the construction of stair cases. By Thomas Skaife, P.A.

Date:

1776