17. There are four sorts of trades, that formerly used to cover Houses, that they might be kept dry, viz. the Plumer, with Lead; the Tyler with burnt Clay; the Shingler with clift Wood; and the Thatcher with Reed, Rushes, or straw; to which we may now add the Slater, which though the last in time, yet the best for duration, considering the cheapness; his Tools are these which follow.
Pinning iron
Image from proof plateCL. In this square is contained four of the cheif Instruments belonging to the Slater, for twice as many more, he scarcely useth. The first on the dexter side is, a Pining Iron; this is a long four square pointed Iron set in an Handle over cross it: This is for the opening of an hole in the Slate to put the pin into it.
Slater's hatchet
Image from proof plateThe second is the Slaters Hatchet; it is both an Hammer with a File-like Face, and an Hatchet, and serveth to beat in Nails; and also to cut of the ends of extravagant Laths in the Lathing of the tops of Houses to Slate upon.
Stone measure
The third extended in Fesse, is termed a Stone measure, or a Lathing measure; by this measure Slates
are all fitted to their sizes, and so laid together, for their
readiness to work.
Hewing knife
The fourth in base is termed a Hewing Knife,
it is made after the form of a Meat Knife in
the blade, but at the Haft it turns up after the manner
of a Trowel; with this he squares, and cuts his Slates
to what breadth and form he pleaseth, according to the
measure aforesaid.
Slater's trough
Image from proof plateThe image in the top right corner of the proof plate is the Slater's trough described in Ch. 14, Section 2, identifiable from its similarity to the Bricklayer's hod, but with a short hooked handle (for hanging it from a lath). Two of the British Library copies of the Academy (G1184 and 137 f7) have only the four previous images on them. The third British Library copy (RB.31.c320) and that in the Huntington Library (Wing microfilm reel 634/1) show the old scythe blade here; this is drawn onto the proof plate in the top right corner of the next square (151). These printed copies have the Slater's trough in that square, drawn from a different viewpoint and with a more elaborately riveted handle.
Slater's pick
CLI. In this quarter is placed on the dexter side, the
Slaters pick; it is crooked long and sharp pointed at
both ends, and set in an Handle as an Hammer; with
this is only the hole made in the Slate for the pin, it serves
for no other use in the Trade.
Thatcher's tools
Image from proof plateThe additional images are thatcher's tools, respectively a Crommer (left centre), Scythe (top right), Cradle (right centre) and Rake (bottom); see Ch. 14, number 96f.]
Two of the British Library copies of the Academy have only the Slater's pick in this square on the published plate, but the third copy and that in the Huntington Library (Wing microfilm reel 634/10) show the Cradle and Rake here, with a different version of the Slater's trough (see preceding item). The Scythe is on the preceding square and the Crommer on square 144.
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