Breeze appears to have come to mean dust in the 19th century.
Its origin is braise or braises, which in the 18th century was specifically
charcoal dust. Blast furnaces required large charcoal, as did fineries in
forges, but for reheating the blooms in the course of drawing them out into
iron bars, braises seem to have been sufficient. Braises may also sometimes
have been used in calcining ironstone, that is burning it in a kiln, like a
limekiln.
I suspect that the term became broadened to refer to (mineral) coal dust
used by nailers in the 19th century and then to ash.
The original St Petersburg is most unlikely to have been built out of London
breeze blocks: a trade in this material in the early 18th century is
improbable. I cannot speak as to any 19th century expansion of the city.
Peter King,
49, Stourbridge Road,
Hagley,
Stourbridge
West Midlands
DY9 0QS
telephone 01562-720368
----- Original Message -----
From: Frank Sharman <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: 20 July 2002 21:45
Subject: Re: re Ash pits
> I am sorry to say that, up until now, I thought that "ash pit", however
> it started out, was a name for a pit into which you shoved all and any
> rubbish. It was not specifically for ash anymore than a dust bin was
> restricted to receiving dust.
>
> But ash was certainly used as a potash fertiliser for gardens. And
> breeze block were originally made out of rubbish (I think the word
> "breeze" means rubbish). There have been many attempts to make building
> blocks out of various materials and I think ash was always a favourite
> ingredient. I think it was in the early 19th century that our towns
> were kept unusually clean because of the commercial demand for rubbish,
> especially ash. And there is a story that St. Petersburg was built from
> London rubbish - it being exported their in the form of breeze blocks.
>
> I am not sure if any of that is relevant or helpful but I am getting old
> and entitled to ramble.
> --
> Frank Sharman
> Wolverhampton, UK.
> tel: +44 01902 763246
>
> look: no quotes, no graphics!
>
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