REPORT OF MR. NELSON L. DERBY.
401
fires. The matter is entirely a relative one. Fires are less frequent and extensive in all European cities, except, perhaps, Constantinople, than in America, for the reason that there is more masonry and less wood in their buildings than in ours. At the same time, fires are less frequent in Vienna than in other European cities, for the same reason. As I write, the news of the destruction of the French Opera-house has arrived, and I feel little doubt that the Communists would have found much more difficulty in destroying Vienna than they did in their work in Paris after the Franco- German war.
In closing here, let me say that the attempt has been made in this Report to convey as much information on the various subjects treated as possible, and, at the same time, to make it of interest to the general reader. The latter end has been, at times, sacrificed to the former, as must naturally be the case when technical matters are treated of. The writer, however, trusts that those who have had the patience to read it to the close will have found matter for reflection, and will be convinced of the importance of some changes, at least, in our manner of building at home.
NELSON L. DERBY.
Vienna, 1873.
51