Book excerpt: Robert Scott Burn wrote this book in 1871 at a time of great developments in science, industry and exploration, and when materials for engineering and building were constantly being improved and replaced. It offers, therefore, a useful coverage of both traditional techniques and materials such as stone, brick and pise, but also examines the developments in the use of cement for wall covering as well as cement blocks to be used as artificial stone. This reprint of the original work contains over 400 pages of text dealing with materials, practical construction techniques, masonry and brickwork, principles of design, drawing, plastering and wall decoration, as well as many other aspects of construction. The 160 plates which accompany the text include a large number of drawings of different parts of buildings, including: window, door and wall details in various styles; arches; staircases; consoles and brackets in stone and terracotta; hollow and ornamental brickwork and designs of shop fronts.