The Dublin Builder.
Vol. I.—No. 1.
INTRODUCTORY.
UNLIKE the course usually pursued by intending journalists in the issuing of voluminous preliminary prospectuses—promising all manner of fine things—which not one in one hundred ever half read, we preferred to announce our purpose simply and briefly, leaving our adopted title to speak for itself, and reserving this space in our opening number for a few introductory remarks as to the circumstances which led us into this undertaking, and matters of detail connected with our proposed tactics. Justly may the numerous classes identified with the Building and Constructive arts in Ireland, writhe under the stigma that they alone of their craft in the three sister kingdoms pursue their career unrepresented by that powerful advocate, “the Press;” and are unable to point to any national and professional periodical devoted to their enlightenment, to the maintenance intact of their rights and privileges, and the forwarding of their general interests.* With a view of filling up the vacuum, our efforts, humble though they be, in the production of this journal, are directed; and zealously shall they be pursued, in the firm conviction that there are both the masses and the inclination in this country—if properly aroused—to support a class periodical conducted with prudence and ability. Sceptical as to the veracity of this some are, and we confess may to an extent justly be; but for obvious reasons we shall be pardoned for volunteering the statement, that “a previous undertaking of a similar nature fully justifies this trial.” To dilate here upon subjects of a personal character, however they may bear upon the assertion just made, would be both bad taste and irrelevant; but for the satisfaction of thosebwho formerly, and have again, entered the lists as our supporters; and to dispel from the minds of others a supposition as to the existence of chimerical elements in this speculation, we must remark, that were it not for a combination of proceedings, alike discreditable to the originators and unanticipated by us—but for which public contumely has been heaped upon their heads—the building profession and kindred arts and sciences would not have remained unrepresented during the last two years. With renewed vigour, though clothed in other garments and with different title, we enter upon our mission, but in principles remaining the same, with the introduction of some slight modifications. Though professedly a “class” journal, the projectors of “The Dublin Builder” confidently look forward to general support, by the introduction of instructive and popular subjects, and the entire absence from its pages of anything approximating to politics or polemics; they being solely devoted to the admission of such matter only as shall serve to enlighten the ignorant, to please and edify the man of education, and to chronicle advancing steps in the path of progress, when such appertain to projects or accomplish
* In England there exist several first-class and well-established periodicals devoted to the improvement of science, art, and every branch of mechanics; presenting a never-failing source of instruction and mental recreation; and even Scotland, where the artizan class is neither so numerous nor so notedly excellent in skill and ingenuity as in Ireland, possesses one likewise, flourishing since the period of its establishment.
ments of a scientific, artistic, sanitary, or, we may add, of a philanthropic character.
Pursuing such a course, we hope to find ourselves as welcome visitors in the studio and drawing-room of the professor, as in the humblest domicile of the intelligent mechanic; without being specially identified with either, but devoting ourselves equally, impartially, and independently to serve the interests and contribute to the gratification of both.
Reference to other portions of this journal will convince, that although Ireland has decidedly made improving strides in the several departments of a more immediately professional character, coming under our notice, much more yet remains to be achieved in the sanitary arrangements of our cities and towns, the water supply thereto, more complete ventilation of our public and domestic buildings, erection of national monuments, the demolition of dilapidated dwellings, provision of suitable homes for the living poor, and fitting receptacles for the remnants of mortality in all classes, &c.; presenting ample scope for another class of subjects strictly within our province, and which cannot fail to interest the philanthropist and every friend to the well-being of the community at large.
Owing to the absence of a local press devoted to the full and complete publication of matters scientific and artistic—periodically presenting themselves at the lectures and conversaziones of our institutes, so universally celebrated as instructing media—much valuable information which there might be imparted is denied to the working man, whose position in society and daily occupations respectively, preclude the possibility of personal attendance. True! the transactions of those institutions to which we refer are separately published and purchaseable, but they are either only gratuitously accessible to members, or are not compatible with the limited resources of an artizan's pocket. One of our chief objects shall be, as far as practicable within our moderate compass, to publish such proceedings so as to suit the comprehension of ourvreaders, and not a mere unintelligible synopsis, omitting the gist and marrow of the subject, as is usually presented—seemingly under restraint-by most of our contemporaries.
To our professional readers our course is so manifest as to call for little explanation, as substantially we shall follow in the wake of our predecessors, labouring, however, under the difficulties which constantly bestrew the path of novitiates, and with which they have had in their turn to contend as we now have.
They who recollect what those periodicals were at first starting, which are now colossal both in point of excellence and circulation, will readily admit that too much ought not to be expected ab initio, and that “all great ends are attained by small beginnings.”
Such is the anomalous position of the Architectural and Engineering professions now-a-days, the former especially; and so utterly devoid are they of that governmental and legal protection of their rights invariably bestowed on every other, that much may be accomplished in the reformation of existing abuses by their exposition through the medium of a periodical devoted to special interests. Collectively, the members of these professions constitute an important class, and of themselves possess all the elements of strength to form a compact body capable of resisting extraneous shocks if the cohesive particles of “union and good faith” were not absent from the mass. To do justice, however, the Institute of Civil Engineers in Ireland
