University of Virginia Library

“We make no pretensions even to the most superficial acquaintance with
the subject of which this book treats. It has never come within our vocation
to be hewers of wood, any more than drawers of water. And yet, with all our
ignorance, we can see that this must be a book of great value to all scientific
and practical mechanics. And, fortunately, we are not obliged to trust our
own judgment in the case: for we are assured, on testimony that is worthy of
all acceptation, that it is really a work of the highest merit, and adapted to
accomplish most important practical improvements in the department of which
it treats. It is evidently a book to be studied rather than read cursorlly, in
order to secure the benefit which it is designed to impart.”

“We should like to call the attention of carpenters to this work, because we
know that every one who may be induced to purchase a copy upon our recommendation,
will thank us for it. If we take into consideration the great
advantage that a book of this kind is likely to be to a workman, in advancing
him to proficiency in his trade, the price ($2) must be acknowledged to be but
trifling.”

“We live at a period when there is no art or science that can complain of
being neglected by the makers of books; and here we have one that is designed
to enlarge the views, and improve the taste, and lighten the labor of the
makers of houses. We can see, from turning over the leaves, that it is a
thoroughly scientific production; and more than that, we are assured by one
who knows about these things, and whose judgment may be taken without
any abatement, that it is a work of no common ability, and ought to be owned
and studied by every carpenter in the land. Books of this kind hitherto are
understood to have been too expensive to gain a very wide circulation; but
this, though very neatly executed, is sold at a moderate price, and can be
bought by everybody who has an interest in reading it.”

“The clearest and most thoroughly practical work on the subject. It is very
neatly `got up,' and the price is extremely moderate.”

“We have been singularly struck with the clear, easy, we had almost said
the elegant style in which it is written—affording a free demonstration, that
he who thoroughly understands his subject, writes well, though authorship is
not his trade. It is indeed a good practical work, and therefore of great value.”

“This is a really valuable work, and its astonishingly cheap price brings it
in the reach of all. We heartily commend it.”

“This work is a most excellent one; very comprehensive, and lucidly arranged.”

“Every house carpenter ought to possess one of these books; it is indisputably
the best compendium of information on this subject that has hitherto been
published.”

“This work commends itself by its practical excellence. It needs no other
recommendation.”

“Few works of a practical kind from an American pen, will be found of a
more intrinsic value than this admirable volume; and we feel more confidence
in this opinion, from the fact of the press universally concurring in our verdict.”