From our current stock of books for sale:
PATERSON, James
A practical treatise on the making and upholding of public roads. With a few remarks on forming approaches to gentlemens' houses: and a dissertation on the utility of broad wheels, and other improvements.Montrose, Printed by James Watt, for Thomas Donaldson, Dundee; (etc.), 1819
Description
A rare little book by the road surveyor of the Dundee-Montrose road in Scotland. Paterson was clearly influenced by McAdam in that he emphasises the need for good drainage and his method of forming the road bed, too, echoes McAdam in its insistence on stones of a uniform size, though his method of binding them owes more to Telford. However, when discussing the problems of maintenance, Paterson is clearly drawing on his own experience with corrupt contractors, particularly on the Edinburgh-Musselburgh road. The book also recommends that proper scientific methods of road making should also be applied to roads on private estates, remarking that, "on the subject before us, it is impossible that fashion can prevail with the same general uniformity as in the article of dress, or the furniture of houses".
Collation
12mo. 93 + (3)pp. Orig. boards, some browning internally. Presentation inscription from the author to James Miln of Woodhill (Barry, Forfarshire). Skempton No.1048.Price
£380.00Catalogue No: 4726