Brian Masteller (X) Feb 11, 2021:

@Timoshka I agree with the term brick up, maybe for aesthetic purposes more so than structural support. I found this definition online which, to me, is saying "einlegen" can be used to express that something provides an ornamental value to something else.

"etwas mit etwas einlegen etwas mit etwas als Ornament (Einlegearbeit) versehen: 'einen Tisch mit Elfenbein einlegen'"

For PONS Großwörterbuch Deutsch als Fremdsprache:
einlegen. (n.d.) PONS Großwörterbuch Deutsch als Fremdsprache. (2015). Retrieved February 11 2021 from https://de.thefreedictionary.com/einlegen

Timoshka (asker) Feb 11, 2021:

I've found several occurrences of "brick up" online, such as: "On completion of the concrete floor bed, it is time to brick up the walls of the house." I wonder if that would capture the meaning...

Timoshka (asker) Feb 11, 2021:

@ philgoddard I'm wondering if I shouldn't skim over the "einlegen" part, and just say that "the walls should be bricked..." Since the later quote indicates they were hauling in bricks, as well as sand and lime (ingredients for mortar), and they were also tearing down plaster.

philgoddard Feb 11, 2021:

Enclosed? Maybe they were made of wood.
http://en.langenscheidt.com/german-english/einlegen

Timoshka (asker) Feb 11, 2021:

Addendum Just found a later sentence, which might add some insight: “Die dazu erforderlichen Steine willigte sich N.N. zu geben, welche ihm nach den taxirenden Werth bezahlt werden sollten. Die Arbeiter willigten sich ohne eine Vergütung dafür zu verlangen, zum Steine fahren, Sand fahren, Kalk fahren, Pläster abreißen, Ausmauern der Wände, Hülfeleistung beim Ausmauern…”