Of the present vse there are fiue particulars to be considered .

First . Shoppes can not be altered forevery Mans Trade in Stone , or Bricke , as it can with Timber .

Secondly . It takes vp a great deale of more Roome then Timber doth , and shopp roome is precious .

Thirdly . Thereby shopps cannot be so lightsome as it will be with Timber .

Fourthly . Shopps or forefronts cannot be repaired as it may with Timber .

Fifthly . Forefronts cannot stand without much banding of Timber .

In the second generall for restraint of fire where there are foure particulars to be considered .

First . If a house be on fire , there is no way to quench it but by pulling it downe , and fire hookes in Brick-worke can pull away no no more then they take hold on . So that many houses may be burnt before one can be pulled downe .

Secondly . The Bricke and Stone being hote will fly , and indanger any that shall come to quench such fires .

Thirdly . The extremity of the heat of the house burning will set on fire the next house through the Bricke-walls , they being so thinne , and banded with Timber so thicke as they are , and of necessity must be , or else it will soone cracke and be ruinated .

Fourthly . Whereas the houses of London and Westminster doe stand so closse together as they doe , put the case if all the forefronts were built with Stone and Bricke , if the Papists ( who are Arch enemies of God and his truth , and so consequently against their Christian King and Countrey ) should set on fire but one of those houses in their wonted , malicious , and privy Conspiracy and Trechery , there is no meanes to quench this fire , vntill all the houses adjoyning through that street , lane , alley , or yard , were burnt downe , the insides and the goods consume● , and the forefront stand , not onely reasons before recited , but also wofull experience both here and elsewhere hath proved it to be so .

Wherefore most Honourable Assembly , may it please you , that whereas the Mystery of this Cause lieth in our Element to consider . And seeing that every particular Workeman doth giue his Workemaster his opinion , what may be best in the matter and manner of repairing and building ; So wee take that to be our bound and duty to giue you to vnderstand , what and how Materialls are to be placed in the best manner of building for safety or restraint of fire , as also for benefit and Ornament , as followeth .

First . For restraint of fire , and safety in buildings in London and Westminster , is with Bricke betweene house and house , and backeward against any house , and Timber forefronts for these causes ensuing .

First . There will be more roome for strength of people to come to quench the fire .

Secondly . If the Summers of the Floores , which is the principall fuell of such fires , be framed into the Timber forefronts , then set fire-hookes vnto the mainest peices of the same forefronts , and pull them away , the floores will also fall , and beat out the force of the fire sodainly .

Thirdly . There will be more water brought to quench such fires ( being vnderhand ) in one houre , then will or can be in foure houres , the fire being on the vpper part of the fired house .

Fourthly . It will saue abundance of goods that may be in those fired houses , as Money , Plate , Brasse , Pewter , Iron , and other houshold stuffe , though disfigured , yet not consumed , as it will be in Bricke forefronts .

Fifthly . The Timber forefronts being pulled downe , and the backe or sides being of Bricke , will remaine good to reedifie againe .

Sixthly . It will be a meanes to saue neighbours houles from being set on fire , from pulling downe , and their goods spoyled and wasted .

Seventhly . It will be a meanes to saue much goods from being stolne by wicked wretches , that come more to steale , and get pillage , then to helpe to master the fire .

Eightly . This manner of building fires will thereby be mastered and quenched without hazarding of mens limmes and liues by breaking of ladders , and falling from topps of houses .

And so much for safety and restraint of fire .

Now for Ornament .

First . Cant Windowes are best being workemanlike handled , and not iutt out at foot , but standeth vpon Cattooses , with other appurtenances belonging to Forefronts : experience may teach vs that Timber Forefronts are most beautifull , and of longest durance .

Secondly . Cant Windowes are best for prospect , for ayre , and for light , so they raunge not one further forth then the other .

Obiection . But Stone and Bricke doe saue Timber for shippes .

Answere . First . Firre Timber hath beene at a cheaper rate then our Timber , and will last neere two hundred yeares , being alwayes wet or dry .

Secondly . The fetching of it increaseth shipps and Mariners .

Thirdly . That is profitable to the Kings Custome .

Fourthly . Iron Mills doe wast abundance of Timber .

Fifthly . The Statute for preservatiue of Timber is neglected .