Inscribed
as above and as SM 28/3/1A/1-6. With some (partly illegible) pencil amendments that adapt the specification for re-use in the design for alterations and additions to Bentley Priory, 1789. Thus the date of May 1784 has March 1789 next to it. Under Bricklayer, reference to the cellars is cancelled and some variations are made. Under Mason the details for the Doric portico are to be omitted. Under Smith - the Iron Skylight now lights the Statue Room instead of the best Staircase. Under Particulars of Finishings - the Mezzanine Story is to be omitted entirely as is the Basement Story and there are cancellations and changes to the details of the Attic, Bedchamber and Hall storeys. The rest of the specification with the estimates are left untouched and presumably were not used for Bentley Priory.
Signed and dated
Medium and dimensions
Pen, some pencil on laid paper (364 x 244) bound into 'Precedents in Architecture' SM volume 41
Hand
John Sanders (pupil, 1 September 1784-90)
Watermark
(all pages) T French
Notes
It is easy to see why a previous specification was adapted for another job since they are usually a string of generalised statements so that, for example, the Slater was required 'To cover the whole of the outside Roofing with the best Westmorland Slates and the Roofs next the Gutters with large Welch Slates, the heads of the Nails to be either of Copper or well painted' whether the roof was in Suffolk (Tendring Hall) or Middlesex (Bentley Priory). Westmorland slate is the hardest and most durable of slates but rough and thick in appearance and because heavy needs stout roof timbers. Welsh slate has a finer texture and - easier to cut - was the most used of all slates, at that time.
Level
Drawing
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