50. A polygon of eleven sides is called an a, the angle в to the angle b, and so on. (See undecagon.

ings, the erection of which the increasing for exterior ornaments, even in buildings population of the country is requiring in of the most sumptuous and important chaalmost every town in the kingdom. These are racter. sometimes merely used to give a neat finish to the appearance of the room; but flowers are also very extensively used for the purpose of covering the apertures for ventilation in the ceilings of churches, chapels, and other places of public resort. It is with much difficulty, and sometimes with danger, that plaster flowers are fixed up in these situations. The wreaths or enriched bands often made to encircle these flowers are most effectively formed of papier-mâché.

As there is good evidence of the durability of the old papier-mâché in the open air, it follows of course, that for interior work its permanency may be still more implicitly relied upon. There are many pier-glass frames, chimney-pieces, &c., composed of this substance, remaining in a perfectly sound good condition, that must have been made early in the last century; and a recent examination of the old papier-mâché work at Chesterfield House has most satisfactorily proved, that in

Another very usual mode of giving enrich-ceilings it is equally durable; the component ment to rooms in the modern style, is to connect with the cornice some guilloche or fret upon the face of the ceiling; and, where still more effect is required, adding a frieze under the cornice, against the face of the wall. As in forming these enrichments the ground is first finished plain, and the foliage in papiermâché then laid on upon the face, it is obvious to the practical man, that a clear relief and distinctness of outline is thereby obtained, quite unattainable in plaster work, where the enrichment is cast with the ground.

parts are, in fact, such as to render it much less likely to decay than the laths or other wood-work to which it may be attached; and in no instance that has ever come under the observation of the writer, has he detected the least indication of its having been attacked by worms, one of the ingredients used being very obnoxious to them. The papier-mâché work now remaining in many houses in London and the country, which was put up in the time of Sir William Chambers, appears, wherever it has been examined, in a perfectly sound state, notwithstanding all those original defects in its composition and manufacture which later manufacturers have been able effectually to correct.

It now only remains to give some general instructions for the fixing up of the work. There is one rule which it will be particularly advisable to note, since it is calculated to save much trouble, and secure perfect truth in the fixing of the enriched members of cornices. In running the plain work of a cornice, it should be remembered to provide in the mould a sinking to receive the papier-mâché member. Or, should it be desired to insert an enrichment, say an ogee and bead, in the bedmoulding of the cornice, a sinking to receive it should be provided.

A great variety of brackets, consoles, and cantilevers are made of this substance; indeed, one of the first applications of the improved papier-mâché to architectural purposes, was to form some large consoles and cornices at St. James's Palace, on the accession of his late Majesty. Since that time similar work has been fixed up at the Grocers' Hall, the King's College, at the Carlton Club House, the Oxford and Cambridge Club House, British Museum, State Drawing Rooms at Dublin Castle, Grand Lodge Freemasons' Hall, Corn Exchange, &c. Chimney-pieces are very effectively decorated in papier-mâché, as was formerly much practised by Sir William Chambers and others. It would, however, be tedious to enumerate all the purposes to which papier-mâché can be advantageously applied; it will suffice to repeat, that there is no enrichment, in any style, however complicated or elaborate, that may not be readily executed in it. Nor is it necessary to limit the application of it to interior work. The improved papiermâché is of too recent introduction to enable In cases where a simple cornice would be us to refer to any example of its use in exterior sufficient, and where it is desirable to have work further back than about fourteen years; nothing to do with plaster, a small fillet or but there are several shop-fronts in London moulding of wood, nailed to the ceiling and that were fitted up that time where the papier-wall with the papier-mâché ornament inserted mâché enrichments are at the present day as in them, gives a very complete and ornamental sound and perfect as when first turned out of finish to the room at a most trifling expense, the mould. We may, however, find in the and without the dirt and delay unavoidably papier-mâché of the last century, although of attendant on running plaster mouldings. immeasurably inferior quality, abundant proof Where a flower or patera has to be applied to of its extreme durability in exposed situations. a ceiling, one screw will suffice, unless the Sir William Chambers's own house in Berners- patera be of unusual dimensions, to attach street, that must be probably three-quarters of it safely to the plaster, taking care that the a century old, has the papier-mâché, which screws are long enough to reach the joists. enriched the fanciful architecture at the back | Where, however, the flower is intended to of the house, in perfect preservation. cover an opening for ventilation, it will be

These sinkings need not generally exceed one-eighth of an inch; a raised fillet at the bottom of the enriched moulding would answer the same purpose, the only object being to secure a perfectly continuous and unbroken line.

At Paris, the Carton-pierre, a substance requisite to block down from the joists, screwanalogous to papier-mâché, but in every waying the flower to the blocking. inferior to it, especially as regards its dura- Where ornamental corners are to be applied bility, being very absorbent of moisture, and to a ceiling, they should, if very heavy, be fastherefore liable to become soft, is largely used tened up to the timbers with screws, but gene