It in no way destroys the
characteristics and features of the building, the weatherworn surfaces
of the old stones, their cracks and deformations, and even the moss
and lichen which time has planted on them need not be disturbed.
Pointing is of no avail to preserve a building, as it only enters an
inch or two in depth. Underpinning is dangerous if the building be
badly cracked, and may cause collapse. But if you shore the structure
with timber, and then weld its stones together by applying the
grouting machine, you turn the whole mass of masonry into a monolith,
and can then strengthen the foundations in any way that may be found
necessary. The following story of the saving of an old church, as told
by Mr. Fox, proclaims the merits of this scientific invention better
than any description can possibly do:--
"The ancient church of Corhampton, near Bishops Waltham, in
Hampshire, is an instance. This Saxon church, 1300 years old, was
in a sadly dilapidated condition. In the west gable there were
large cracks, one from the ridge to the ground, another nearer the
side wall, both wide enough for a man's arm to enter; whilst at
the north-west angle the Saxon work threatened to fall bodily off.
The mortar of the walls had perished through age, and the ivy had
penetrated into the interior of the church in every direction.
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