The following book has been written to assist those who wish to acquire a knowledge of the most practical and systematic methods adopted in the execution of stair building and handrailing.

In compiling this work the author has kept steadily in view the absolute necessity of treating most fully the elementary parts. Therefore, if to some the details should appear tedious, he begs to say they have been written to assist those who, being unable to obtain a correct knowledge of the methods adopted, seldom advance beyond a certain and very unsatisfactory stage.

The plates on stairs will be found to contain much useful and valuable information, all of which the author has practically tested, some of them many times over, and can therefore vouch for the accuracy of the various methods shown.

The Plates 12 and 13 should be thoroughly understood before proceeding with the handrailing, as the diagrams showing problems in solid geometry have been carefully selected, bearing directly on the subject, and it should not be left until the “why” and “wherefore” has been reasoned out.

The system of handrailing is somewhat new, but the author has continually put it to practical test for the last five years, and he is convinced that it is only required to be known to be appreciated.

W.H. WOOD.