L33/173

Cain Hill House. Letter from Thomas Smith of Hertford, architect, accompanying L33/174 - 7. Addressed to Thomas Brown Esq.

6 May 1828

From: 1828 To: 1828

'Dear Sir I herewith send you the Working drawings of Cain Hill house - as it now is, as you requested One great fault in the construction of the present building is, the manner in which the projections are formed - the pannels are sunk 2 1/2 inches and the labels or architraves round the windows project 1/2 - it is therefore evident that a very substantial bond could not be made - as it is built no bond had been attempted. If in the rebuilding, the original plan is to be adopted I very much recommend that the piers & architraves be formed in cement which will of course not injure the tie of the work - the cement I think the best, is Lockwoods Portland Stone Cement - of which I have used much - it becomes very hard, requires no color and vegitates less than any I know of, and is the same price as the Roman. I requested Lockwood to send me a small piece for the purpose of sending with these Drawings for his Lordships inspection, but it is not arrived. The blanks as now formed are sadly uposed to the matter - if a figure is to be painted as before, I should strongly advise nitches [drawing] which would protect them. I have marked the plans with letters so as to correspond with the wainscot of the several sides of the rooms which should be painted in oil before the building is taken down. I remain dear Sir most truly your Thomas Smith.'

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Thomas Smith, Silsoe Cain Hill House, SILSOE