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; with 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 sound Reason: with a new criterion, or universal estimator; In which are considered the Quantity and Quality of Materials adequate for the Execution of any Building; their exact Value wheresoever appropriated; the real and universal Price assigned, proved by the Labour which is required to every Jobb; with 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 Sorts of Hand-Rails. The Manner and Method of measuring all 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 arithmetic, Extraction of the Roots, Duodecimals, Mensuration of Superficies and Solids, round and square Timber, &c. with Explanations and Reasons for the Rules. By Thomas Skaife, P. A. Carpenter and Joiner.

Date:

MDCCLXXIV. [1774]