A most beautiful art among the Italians, and one which might be advantageously introduced into this country, is that of making what are termed Venetian pavements. This method of finishing the floors of rooms is conducted in the following manner. In the first place a foundation is made of lime mixed with pozzolana, and small pieces of broken stone; this is, in fact, a sort of concrete, which must be well beaten and levelled. When this is perfectly dry, a fine paste, as it is termed by the Italians, must be made of lime, pozzolana, and sand; a yellow sand is used which tinges the mixture; this is carefully spread to a depth of one or two inches, according to circumstances. Over this is laid a layer of irregularly broken minute pieces of marble of different colours, and if it is wished these can be arranged in patterns. After the paste is completely covered with pieces of marble, men proceed to beat the floor with large and heavy tools made for the purpose; when the whole has been beaten into a compact mass, and the paste appears above the pieces of marble, it is left to harden. It is then rubbed smooth with fine-grained stones, and is finally brought to a high polish with emery powder, marble dust, and lastly, with boiled oil rubbed on with flannel. This makes a durable and very beautiful floor, which in this country would be well adapted for halls, conservatories, and other buildings. The carpentry of the Italians, as observable in ordinary houses, displays little skill and indifferent workmanship, but in the roofs and floors of important buildings, they satisfactorily prove their knowledge of scientific principles, and several of their designs are well known to British architects. With regard to the working of iron, in comparison with our system, the Italian is primitive indeed; yet at times he can and does produce very good specimens of workmanship, but at a heavy cost; consequently they are generally content with very ordinary productions. A manufactory of wire, and of driving and screw nails, by means of machinery, now occupies the villa of Mecænas at Tivoli; the articles produced are very well made. Copper is extensively used in Italy, and there are productive mines in the _Maremma Toscana_. The workmanship of articles made of this metal is respectable; various utensils are made of brass in a neat and satisfactory manner, but in the interior finishing of houses, if much nicety is required, articles of foreign manufacture are used.