The best _bricks_ must not be made of any earth that abounds with sand or gravel, not of such as is gritty or stony; but of a greyish marle, or yellow clay, or at least of reddish earth. But if there is a necessity to use that which is sandy, choice should be made of that which is tough and strong. The best season for making _bricks_ is the spring; because they are subject to crack, when made in the summer: the loam should be well steeped or soaked, and wrought with water. They are shaped in a mould, and, after some drying in the sun or air, are burnt to a hardness. This is our manner of making bricks; but whether they were always made in this manner admits a doubt. We are not clear what was the use of straw in the bricks for building in Egypt, or why in some part of Germany they mix saw-dust in their clay for bricks. We are in general tied down by custom to one form, and one size; which is truly ridiculous: 8 or 9 inches in length, and 4 in breadth, is the general measure: but beyond doubt there might be other forms, and other sizes, introduced very advantageously. _Compass_ BRICKS, are of a circular form; their use is for steening of walls; we have also concave, and semi-cylindrical, used for different purposes. _Grey-Stocks_, are made of the purest earth, and better wrought: they are used in front in building, being the strongest and handsomest of this kind. _Place_-BRICKS, are made of the same earth, or worse, and being carelessly put out of hand, are therefore weaker and more brittle, and are only used out of sight, and where little stress is laid on them. _Red Stocks_, are made of a particular earth, well wrought, and little injured by mixtures: they are used in fine work, and ornaments. _Hedgerly_ BRICKS, are made of a yellowish colored loam, very hard to the touch, containing a great quantity of sand: their particular excellence is, that they will bear the greatest violence of fire without hurt. BRICOLE, an improved kind of traces used by the French in drawing and manœuvring artillery; analogous to the old drag rope, but having the addition of a leather strap or girdle with a buckle, to which the drag is affixed; and an iron ring and hook at the end to drag by. BRIDGES. Manner of laying a pontoon bridge across a river.