A
TREATISE
O N
Civil Architecture,
IN WHICH
The PRINCIPLES of that ART
Are laid down, and Illuftrated by
A great Number of PLATES,
Accurately Designed, and Elegantly Enge.aved by the beft Hands.
B Y
WILLIAM CHAMBERS.
Member of the Imperial Academy of Arts in Florence, and Archited to
Their Royal Highneffes
The Prince of WALES and Princefs Dowager of WALES.
LONDON,
Printed for the AUTHOR, by J. Haberkork.
To be had at the Aothob’b Houfe in Pohnd-Stre^t, near Sroad-Street, Soho- likewife A. M.eeab,
TNoorse Wilson and Durham, ail in the T. Osborne m Grcyo-Inn, J.and R Dons-
J;, rSw. R. Saver in Piers and Weblev Chanurj-Lam, Holhorn,
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M DCC LIX.
SUBSCRIBERS.
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A.
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B.
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F.
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G.
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H.
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I.
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2™S“’E'?J‘;D™gWma„ » Ws Roj.l Mgtnefi
the Prince of Wales. . ,
j, Kraack, Profeflbr of the Modern Languages in the
Univerfity of Lund.
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M.
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N.
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The Right Honourable the Earl of Orford.
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Y.
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PREFACE.
A mongst the various Arts cultivated by Men, fome are calculated
for the ufes of life, and adapted to fupply our wants, or help our infirmi¬
ties ; fome again are merely the inftruments of luxury, being wholly .
contrived to flatter the Vanity, or gratify the defires of mankind : whilft
others are fitted to many purpofes, contributing at the fame time to the prefervation,
the amufement, and the grandeur of the human fpecies.
Architecture is of the latter kind; and, if confidered in its whole extent, may
be faid to have a fhare in almoft every convenience of life. -
The advantages arifing to Society from Houfes, are alone very confiderable; as they
have an influence both on the body and mind: for in countries where Men live in woods
in caves or in miferable huts, expofed to the inclemencies of feafons, and under continual
apprehenfions of heat, cold, tempefts, rain, or fnow, they are indolent, ftupid, and
abjeft ; their faculties are benumbed, and all their views limited to the fupplying their
immediate wants: but in places where the inhabitants are provided with commodious
dwellings, in which they may breathe a temperate air, amidft the fummer’s heat and
winter’s cold ■ fleep, when nature calls, at eafe and in fecurity ; ftudy unmolelted, and
tafte the fweets of every focial enjoyment, we find them aaive, ^ inventive, and enter-
prifing with bodies fit for labour, and minds turned to contemplation ; Agricimure and
Arts flourilh among them, and they are plentifully provided with all the neceffaries and
conveniencies of life. , , • i
Invention facilitates labour ; and what mere ftrength and perfeverance obtains with
difficulty, ingenious contrivances produce with eafe, and jn abundance. Hence domemc
wants are conftantly fupplied, and ftores provided for foreign majkets^ ^ ^
Then' Architetra/(A/iA'tfiA'MwtfPtfnb a^/Aaf An/tt .^“'-^ ■•
■AnjAn^/.
yMt ff'/t/p/i Atr/A. '
yprAAr CAAd/f/A .
/J AVy
« Ji'Vtyipdfpr/
OF THE
ORIGINof BUILDINGS.
A NTIENTLY, fays Vitruvius, Men lived in woods, and inhabited
caves; but in time, taking perhaps example from birds, who with great
induftry build their nefts, they made themfelves huts. At firft they
made thefe huts, very probably, of a Conic Figure; becaufe that is a
form of the limpleft ftrufliure; and, like the birds, whom they imi¬
tated, compofed them of branches of trees, fpreading them wide at the bottom, and
joining them in a point at the top ; covering the whole with reeds, leaves, and clay,
to fcreen them from tempefts and rain.
B.ut finding the Conic Figure inconvenient, on account of its inclined fides,
they changed both the form and conftruiStion of their huts, giving them a Cubi¬
cal Figure, and building them in the following manner :
Having marked out the Ipace to be occupied by the hut, they fixed in [the
ground feveral upright trunks of trees to form the fides, filling the intervals
between them with branches clofely interwoven and covered with clay. The fides
being thus completed, four large beams were placed on the upright trunks, which
being well joyned at the angles, kept the fides firm; and likewife ferved to lupport
the covering or roof of the building, compofed of many joifts, on which were
laid feveral beds of reeds, leaves, and clay.
Insensibly mankind improved In the. Art of Building, and invented methods
to make their huts lafting and handfome, as well as convenient. They took oflF the
bark, and other unevennelfes, from the trunks of trees that formed the fides; raifed
them probably above the dirt and humidity on ftones; and covered each of them
with a flat ftone or Hate, to keep off the rain. The fpaces between the ends of the
joifts were clofed with clay, wax, or fome other fubftance; and the ends of the joifts
covered with thin boards cut in the manner of triglyphs. The pofition of the roof was
likewife altered : for being, on account of its flatnefs, unfit to throw off the rains that
fell in great abundance during the winter feafon,they raifed it in the middle; giving it
the form of a gable roof, by placing rafters on the joifts, to fupport the earth and
other materials that compofed the covering.
From this Ample conftruHion the Orders of ArchiteHure took their rife. For
when buildings of wood were fet afide, and Men began to ere£t folid and ftately edi¬
fices of ftone, they imitated the parts which neceflity had introduced into the
primitive huts; in fo much that the upright trees, with the ftones at each
end of them, were the origin of Columns, Bafes, and Capitals; and the beams,
joifts, rafters, and ftrata of materials, that formed the covering, gave birth to Archi-
B traves.
Of the Origin of Buildings.
traves, Frizes, Triglyphs, and Cornices, with the Corona, the Mutules, the Mo-
dillions and the Dentils.
The firft buildings were in all likelihood rough and uncouth; as the men of
thofe times had neither experience nor tools: but when, by long experience and rea-
foning upon it, the Artifts had eftablilhed certain rules, had invented many mftra-
ments, and by great pradice had acquired a facility in executing their ideas, they made
quick advances towards perfeaion, and at length difcovered certain manners of build¬
ing, which fucceeding ages have regarded with the higheft veneration.
At what time the Orders of Architeaure, commonly called Grecian, were invent¬
ed, or by whom, is not certainly known'; but the account which "Vitruvius gives
of them is as follows ;
Dorus, the foil of Helenes and the Nymph Optica, king of Achaia and of
all the Peloponnefus, having formerly built a temple to Juno in the ancient city of
Argos, this temple happened to be in the manner which we call Doric ; which
manner was afterwards imitated in many other temples built in the feveral cities of
Achaia.
About the fame time the Athenians, after having confulted the Oracle of
Apollo at Delphos, by the common confent of all Greece, fent into Alia thirteen
Colonies, each under the command of a feparate Captain, but all under the general
direftion of Ion, fon of Xuthus and Creufa. Ion being arrived in Afia, conquered
all Caria, and founded thirteen large cities: the inhabitants whereof having expelled
the Carians and Leleges, called the country Ionia, in honour of Ion their leader,
and ereiffed temples; of which the firft, dedicated to Apollo Panionius, was built after
the manner of thofe they had feen in Achaia, which they called Doric, becaufe there
had been temples of the fame fort built in the cities of the Dorians.
Some time after they built a temple to Diana, in a manner different from the Doric ;
the ftrucfhire being more delicate, and formed upon the proportions of a Female body,
as the Doric had been on thofe of a robuft Man. They adorned the Capital with "Vo¬
lutes, to reprefent the curls of a woman’s hair, and cut flutings on the fhaft of the
Column, to exprefs the folds of her garment; giving to this fecond manner of build¬
ing the name of Ionic, becaufe the lonians were the firft inventors of it.
The third fort of Columns, which are called Corinthian, and reprefent the de¬
licate figure of a young Girl, owe their birth to the following accident ;
A young Girl of Corinth being dead, her nurfe placed on her tomb a bafket, con¬
taining certain trinkets in which fhe delighted when alive, and covered it with a tyle to
prevent the rain from fpoiling them. The bafket chanced to be placed on a root of
Acanthus, which in the fpring, pufhing forth its leaves and fprigs, covered the
fides of it; and fome of them, that were longer than the reft, being obftruaed
by the corners of the tyle, were forced downwards, and curled in the manner of
Volutes.
Calli-
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Pr/ui/iu/t/3/i>//I,i^/n,-//i///'/u Onnimefi(,j^/yr///e (^e /or //n' l>j//yy
Of the Origin of Buildings. 3
CALLiMACH0s,.the Sculptor, paffing near the tomb, faw the baikct, and in what
manner the leaves had encompaffed it. This new form pleafihg him infinitely, he imi^
fated it on columns which he afterwards made at Corinth, eftabllfhing and regulating,
by this model, the manner and proportions of the Corinthian Order.
Villalpandus treats this ftory of Callimachus as a fable, and maintains that the
Corinthian Capital took its origin from an Order in Solomon’s temple : ■ and indeed it
may be gathered from the Scriptures, that there were, in that building, Capitals formed
upon the fame principle with thofe of the Corinthian Order ; fo that though it may be
indebted to the Greeks for many improvements, its origin is in all probability of more
antient date than that alligned by Vitruvius.
Besides the three Orders faid to be invented by the Grecians, there are two others
of Italian origin; the firft of which is thought to have, been invented by the in¬
habitants of Tufcany, long before the Italians had any intercourfe with the Greeks,
from whence it is called the Tufcan Order : the fecond, though of Roman produftion,
is but of modern adoption ; the antients not having confidered it as a diftindt Order.
It is compofed of the Ionic and the Corinthian, and diftinguilhed by the name of the Ro¬
man, or Compofite Order. Thefe are the five manner of Building invented by the An¬
tients, which havingbeen from time to time enriched with new improvements, were at laft
brought to the higheft degree of perfedlion, and on account of the regularity and beau¬
ty of their forms called Orders.
Of the Parts that Compofe an Order of Architedure,
and of their Enrichments.
*
T he parts that compofe an Order may be diftributed into two different dalles;
in the firft of which may be ranged all that have any analogy to the primitive
huts, and reprefent fome part that was neceffary in their conftruftion:
* Such are the Shaft of the Column, with the Plinth of its Bafe, and the Abacus of its
Capital, reprefenting the upright trees, with the ftones on which they were placed, and
thofe that covered them; likewife the Architrave and Triglyphs, reprefenting the beams
and joifts; the Mutules, Modillions, or Dentils, which, all of them reprefent the Rafters;
or fome other pieces of Timber ufed to fupport the covering; and the Corona repre¬
fenting the beds of materials that compofed the covering. All thefe may properly be
diftinguilhed by the name of Effential Members. The fubfervient parts, contrived for
the ufe or ornament of the former, and commonly called Mouldings, may conftitute
the fecond clafs.
+ The effential parts were moft probably the only ones ufed, even in the
firft ftone buildings ; for the Architeds of thofe early times had certainly
very imperfeft Ideas of beauty in the produftions of Art, and therefore
contented themfelves with barely imitating the rude model before them ;
but coming in time to compare the works of their own hands with animal
* See PI. of primitive buildings the third fort of huts.
•J- Ibid Ae profile of the Temple of Thefeus.
c
and
Of the Origin of Buik
and vegetable produ£l:ions, each fpecies of which is compofed of a vafl: diverlitp of
forms, affording an inexhauftible fund of amulement to the mind, they could not but
conceive a difguft at the frequent repetitions of Iquare figures in their buildings j and
therefore thought of introducing certain intermediate parts, which might leem to be of
Ibme ule, and at the lame time be fo formed as to give a more variegated, and a more
plealing appearance to the whole compofition : and this in all likelihood was tlie ori¬
gin of Mouldings.
Of Regular Mouldings there are eight; which are the Ovolo, the Talon, the
Cyma, the Cavetto, the Torus, the Aftragal, the Scotia, and the Fillet.
The names of thefe are allufive to their forms; and their forms are adapted to the
ufes which they are intended to ferve.
The Ovolo and Talon, as they are ftrong at their extremities, are fit for lupports;
the Cyma and Cavetto, though improper for that purpofe, being weak in their extreme
parts, and terminating in a point, are well contrived for coverings to Ihelter other
members : for the tendency of their contour is very oppofite to the diredfion of falling
water; which for that reafon cannot glide along their furface, but muft necelfarily drop.
The Torus and Aftragal, being lhaped like ropes, are intended to bind and fortify the
parts on which they are employed ; but the ufe of the Fillet and Scotia, is only
to feparate and diftinguilh other mouldings, to give a graceful turn to the profile, and
to prevent that confiifion which would be occafioned by joyning feveral curved
members together.
That the inventors of thefe Mouldings meant to exprefs fomething by their dif¬
ferent figures will frarcely be denied s and that tliele were their deftinations may be
deduced, not only from their figures, but from the pradfice of the Antients in their
moft efteemed works: for if we examine the Panthteon, the Three Columns, the
temple of Jupiter Tonans, the fragments of the Frontispiece of Nero, the Bafilica of
Antoninus, the Forum of Nerva, the Arches of Titus and Septimius Severus, the
Theatre of Marcellus, and indeed almoft every antient building, either at Rome, or
in other parts of Italy, and France, it will be found that, in all their profiles,’the
Cyma and the Cavetto are conftantly ufed as finilhings, and never applied where
ftrength is required; that the Ovolo and Talon are always employed as fupporters to
the effential members of the Compofition, fuch as the Modillions, Dentils, and Corona-
that the chief ufe of the Torus and Aftragal is to fortify the tops and bottoms of
Columns, and fometimes Pedeftals, where they are frequently cut in the form of ropes •
as on the Trajan Column, in the Temple of Concord, and on feveral fragments which
I have feen both at Rome and at Nifmes in Languedoc; and that the Scotia is em¬
ployed only to feparate the members of Safes, for which purpofe the Fillet is likewife
ufed, not only in Bafes, but in all kinds of Profiles.
Hence it may be inferred that there is fomething pofitive and natural in thefe pri¬
mary forms of Architeanre, and confequently in the parts they compofe; and that
Palladio erred m employing the Cavetto under the Corona in three of his orders and
in making fuch frequent ufe, through all his profiles, of the Cyma as a fupporting
member.
Of the Origin of Buildings. 5
member. Nor has Vignola been more judicious in finifhing his Tufcan Cornice with
an Ovolo; a Moulding extremely improper for that purpofe, and productive of a very
bad effeCh; for it gives a mutilated air to the whole Profile, which is the more ftriking,
as it refembles exaCtly that part of the Ionic Cornice which is under the Corona,
Other Architedts have been guilty of the like improprieties, and are therefore
equally reprehenfible.
There are various manners of defcribing the Contours of the Mouldings: but
the fimpleft and beft is to form them of t quadrants of circles, as in the annexed De-
figns; by which means the different depreflions and fwellings will be ftrongly marked,
the tranfitions made without any angle, and the projedfions be agreeable to the dodtrine
of Vitruvius, and the pradfice of the Antients; thofe of the Ovolo, Talon, Cyma, and
Cavetto, being equal to their height, that of the Scotia to one third thereof, and thofe
of the curved parts of the Torus and Aftragal to one half of it.
On particular occafions, however, it may be neceffary fometimes to encreafe and at
other times to diminifh thefe projedfions, according to the lituation or other circumftances
attending the profile, as will hereafter appear. When it fo happens the Ovolo, Talon,
C} ma, and Cavetto, may either be defcribed from the fummits of equilateral triangles,
or compofed of quadrants of the Ell)'pfis; the latter of which is to be preferred, be-
caufe it produces a ftronger oppofition of light and fhade, and by that means makes the
figures more diftindt. The Scotia may likewife be formed of Ellyptical portions, or
of quadrants of the circle, diflPering more or lefs from each other than in the annexed
defigns; by which means its projedfion may either be encreafed or diminilhed; but
the curved part of the Torus and Aftragal muft always be femiclrcular, and the en¬
creafe in their projedtion be by ftreight lines.
In fome Antiques, and likewife in various modern buildings, where the parts are far
removed from the eye, or where, from the extraordinary fize of the ftrudture, it hath
not been pradticable to give every member its due projedfion, recourfe hath been had
to artifice in order to produce the defired effedb. At St. Peter’s of the Vatican this prac¬
tice is very frequent, and I have given a fedbion of the * Cornice that finilhes the
pendentives of the Dome, which may ferve as a guide in cafes where the like is
neceffary.
It will not, however, be improper to obferve, that a too frequent ufe of this
expedient is to be avoided; as it never fucceeds, except where, by reafbn of the great
diftance, the artifice is undifcoverable: for the incifions and contorfions made in the
Mouldings entirely deftroy the natural beauty of their form.
An Affemblage of Effential parts and Mouldings is termed a Profile; and on the
choice, difpofition, and proportions of thefe depends the beauty or deformity of the
Profile.
The moft perfedb are fuch as are compofed of few Mouldings, varied both in
form and fize, fitly applied with regard to their ufes, and fo difpofed that the ftreight
-j- PI. Moaldings.
• PI. Mouldings, Fig. I.
D
and
and cun-ed ones fucceed each other alternately. In every Profile there fhould be a
predominant Member, to which all the others ought to be fubfervient, and feem niade
either to fupport, to fortify, or to Ihelter it from the injury of the weather: as m a
Cornice, where the Corona is principal, the Cyma or Cavetto cover it, and the Mo-
diUions, Dentils, Ovolo, and Talon fupport it.
When Ornaments are employed to adorn the Mouldings, feme of them fhould be
left plain in order to form a proper repofe: for, when all are enriched, the figure of the
ProHe is' loft. In a Cornice, the Corona fhould not be ornamented, nor the Modillion
Band; neither fhould the different Fafeias of Architraves, the Plinths of Columns,
Fillets’, nor fcarce any fquare Members be carved; for they are, generally fpeaking,_
either'principal in the compofition, or ufed as boundaries to other parts; in either of
which Wes their figures fhould be diftinfl: and unembaraffed. The Dentil Band
fhould remain uncut, where the Ovolo and Talon immediately above and below it
are enriched; as in the Panthaeon at Rome, and at St. Paul’s in London: for when
the Dentils are marked, particularly if they be fmall, according to Palladio’s Corin¬
thian defign, the three members are confounded together, and, being covered with or¬
naments, are much too rich for the reft of the compofition (as may be feen in feveral
Antiques, and at the ManfionHoufe in the City of London:) a fault carefully to be
avoided, as the juft and equal difbribution of enrichments is, on all occafions, ftri£Hy
to be attended to.
ScAMoZZi obferves that Ornaments fhould neither be too frugally employed, nor
diftributed with too much profufion: their value will encreafe in proportion to the
judgement and diferetion fbewn in their application. For, in effecT, the Ornaments of
Sculpture ufed in ArchiteiSfure, are like Diamonds in a Lady’s drefs, with which it
would be abfurd to cover her face, and other parts that in themfelves are beautiful.
Variety in Ornaments muft not be carried to an excefs. In Architefture they
are only acceffories; and therefore they fhould not be too ftriking, nor capable of long
detaining the attention from the main objedl. Thofe of the Mouldings in particular
fhould be fimple and uniform, and never compofed of more than two different repre-
fentations; which ought to be cut equally deep, formed of the fame number of parts,
and nearly of the fame dimenfions, in order to produce one even uninterrupted tint
through the whole, that fo the eye may not be too ftrongly attrafted by any par¬
ticular part.
When Mouldings of the fame form and fize are employed in one profile, they
should be enriched with the fame kind of ornaments; by which means the figure of
the Profile will be better apprehended, and the artift will avoid the imputation of a
puerile minutenefs, neither to his own honour nor of any advantage to his building.
It muft be obferved that all the ornaments of Mouldings are to be regularly dif-
pofed, and anfwering perpendicularly above each other, as at the Three Columns in
Campo Vaccino. Where Middles of the Modillions, Dentils, Oves, and other Or¬
naments are all in a line; for nothing is more conflifed and unfeemly than to diftri-
bute them without any kind of Order, as they are in moft of the Antiques, and in
moll
■V
Of the Origin of Buildings. *7
moll: of the buildings of this city; where the middle of an Ove anfwers in fome places
to the edge of a Dentil, in fome to its middle, and in others to the interval; the reft
of the Ornaments being likewife diftributed in the fame carelefs manner. The larger
parts are to regulate the fmaller: all the Ornaments in the Entablature are to be go¬
verned by the Modillions, and thefe are to be dependant on the Intervals of the Co¬
lumns, and fo difpofed that one of them may correfpond with the Axis of each Column.
It is farther to be obferved that the Ornaments muft partake of the character of the
Order which they enrich, and thofe ufed in the Doric and Ionic Orders muft be of a
fimpler kind, and grofler make, than thofe employed in the Compolite and Corinthian.
When Frizes, or other large Members are to be enriched, the Ornaments may
be fignificant, andferve to indicate the Ufe of the Building, or the Qualities and Aiftions
of the Owner: but it is a foolifti cuftom to crowd every part with Arms, Crefts, Cy¬
phers, and Mottos: for the figures of thefe things are generally bad, and it betrays
an unbecoming vanity in the Patron of the Stru£ture.
In Sacred places all obfcene, grotefque, and heathenilh reprefentations ought to
be avoided: for lewd fables, extravagant conceits, or inftruments and fymbols of Pa¬
gan worlhip, are very improper ornaments in houfes confecrated to Chriftian purpofes.
WITH regard to the manner of executing Ornaments, it is to be remembered,
that, as in Sculpture a drapery is not eftimable, unlefs its folds are contrived to indicate
the parts and articulations of the body it covers, fo in Architedfure the mold exquifite
Ornaments lofe all their value, if they alter or confound the form they enrich.
All Ornaments of Mouldings muft therefore be cut into the folidj and never applied
on their furface, as Davilere teaches; becaufe it alters both their figure and proportion.
The Profile muft firft be finifhed plain, and afterwards adorned; the moft prominent
parts of the Ornaments being equal with the furtace of the Mouldings they enrich: and
great care muft be taken that the Angles, or Breaks, be kept perfca, and untouched
with Sculpture; for which reafon it is cuftomary at the Angles of moft Mouldings to
place Leaves, the middle filament of which forms the angle.
The method of the Antient Sculptors in the execution of Architedfonic Ornaments,
was to aim at a perfedf reprefentation of the objedt they chofe to imitate; fo that the
Chefnuts, or Eggs, with which the Ovolo is commonly enriched in the Antiques, are
cut round and almoft entirely detached ; as are likewife the Berries, or Beads, on the
Aftragal, which are generally as much hollowed into the folid of the body as the Moul¬
ding projedfs beyond it: but the Leaves, Shells, and Flowers, that adorn the Cavetto,
Cyma, Talon, and Torus, are kept flat like the things they reprefent. In the ap¬
plication of their Ornaments they obferved to ufe fuch as required a conliderable Relief on
Mouldings that in themfelves are clumfy, as the Ovolo and Aftragal; which, by means
of the deep incifions made in them to form thefe enrichments, acquired an extra¬
ordinary lightnefs: but on more elegant parts, as the Cavetto, and Cyma, they
employed thin bodies, which could be reprefented without entering too far into the
folid. The Ornaments of their Cornices were boldly marked, that they might be
diftinsuifhed from afar; but thofe of the Bafes of Columns and Pedeftals were {lightly
“ E exprefled;
8 Of the Orders of ArchiteBure.
exprefled; both becaufe it would be improper to weaken thefe parts, and alfo with a
view to keep them clean; which would not be pradiicable, if there were any deep ca4
vities in them, to harbour dull and filth. >
When objedirs are near, and liable to a clofe infpeftion, every Part of the Or¬
nament Ihould be expreffed, and well finilhed; but when they are much exalted, the
Detail may be flightly touched, or entirely negledted: for it is {ufficient if the General.
Form be diftinift, and the principal maffes ftrongly marked. A few rough ftrokes,
from the hand of a Ikilfull matter, are much more effedlual, than the moft elaborate
finittiings of an artlefs imitator.
Of the Orders of ArchiteBure in general. ,
A n Order confitts of two principal Members, the Column and the Entahlature;
each of which is compofed of three principal Parts. Thofe of the Column
are the Bafe, the Shaft, and the Capital; and thofe of the Entablature are the
Architrave, the Prize, and the Cornice. All thefe are fubdivided into many letter
parts, whofe number, form, and diraenfions charadlerize each order, and exprefs the
degree of ttrength, delicacy, richnefs, or firaplicity peculiar to it.
Of the Five Orders, three are called Grecian; to wit, the Doric, the Ionic, and
the Corinthian; and two Latin, the Tufcan, and the Compofite.
The fimplett and moft folid of all thefe is the * Tufcan. It is compofed of few
Parts, .devoid of Ornaments, and of a Conttrudlion fo'maflive, that it feems capable
of fupporting the'heavieft burden; whence it is, by Sir H. Wotton, compared to a
fturdy labourer in homely apparel.
The Doric 'f' is next in ttrength to the Tufcan ; and, being of a grave, robuft,
and mafculine afpedi, is by Scamozzi called the Herculean. As it is the moft antient of
all the Orders, it retains more of the ftruitture of the primitive huts than any of the
reft; having Triglyphs in its Prize, to reprefent the ends of the Joyfts; andMutules in
its Cornice, to reprefent the Rafters; its Colunm being likewife, in various Antiques,
executed . without a Bafe, in imitation of the trees ufed in the firft buildings, with¬
out any Plinths to raife them above the ground.
The Ionic § is of a more flender make than either of the abovementioned Orders.
Its appearance is Ample, yet graceful and majeftic; its Ornaments are few, nor is
there any thing exaggerated, or remarkably ftriking, in any of its Parts: fo’that it
is not improperly compared to a Sedate Matron, in decent rather than magnificent
attire. °
The Corinthian |j, fays Sir H. Wotton, is a Column
wanton curtezan. Its proportions are extremely elegant.
lafcivioufly deckt, like a
It is divided into a great
• PI. of Orders. y PI. of Orders. § pi, Orders.
[j PI. of Orders.
Of the Orders of ArchiteBure. p
variety of Members, and enriched with a profufion of Ornaments. Scamozzi calls it
the Virginal: and indeed it has all the delicacy in its make, with all the gayety, gaudi-
nefs, and affe£fation in its drefs, peculiar to young Girls. ' °
The Compofite * is, properly fpeaking, only a fpecies of the Corinthian; and
therefore retains, in a great meafure, the fame charafter.
To give a ftrikmg idea of thefe different properties, and to render the comparifon
between the Orders more eafy, I have reprefented them all of the fame height; by
which means the gradual encreafe of delicacy and richnefs is eafily perceivable; as are
likewife the relations between the intercolumniations of the different Orders, and the
proportions which their Pedeftals, Impofts, Archivolts, and other Parts with which
they are accompanied, bear to each other.
The proportions of the Orders were, by the Ancients, formed on thofe of the Hu¬
man Body; and confequently it could not be their intention to make a Corinthian Co¬
lumn, (which, as Vitruvius obferves, is to reprefent the delicacy of a young Girl), as
thick and much taller than a Doric one, which is defigned to reprefent the bulk and
vigour of a full grown man.
Vignola, Palladio, Scamozzi, Blondel, Perrault, and many others, havenever-
thelefs confidered them in this light: that is, they have made the Diameters of all their
Orders the fame, and confequently their Heights encreafing; which, befides giving a
wrong idea of the charadfer of thefe different Compofitions, hath occafioned many of
the errors and falfe reafonings, with which their works abound.
Columns, m the opinion of Scamozzi, Ihould not be lefs than feven of their dia¬
meters in height, nor more than ten; the former being a good proportion in the Tuf-
can, and the latter in the Corinthian Order. The pradtice of the Ancients, in their
bell: works, is conformable to this precept: for which reafon I have, according to
the do&ine of Vitruvius, made the Tufcan Column feven diameters in height, the
Doric eight, and the Ionic nine, (as Palladio and Vignola have done,) and the Corin¬
thian and Compofite ten; which laft is a mean between the proportions obferved in the
Pantheon, and in the three Columns, both which are accounted excellent models of
the Corinthian Order.
The height of the Entablature, in all the Orders, I have made one quarter of
the height of the Column; which was the common pradlice of the Antients, who, in
all forts of Entablatures, feldom exceeded or fell much Ihort of that meafure.
Nevertheless Palladio, Scamozzi, Alberti, Barbaro, Cataneo, de L’Orme and
others of the Modern Architedls, have made their Entablatures much lefs in the
Ionic, Compofite, and Corinthian Orders, than in the Tufcan or Doric. This
on fome occafions, may be not only excufable but highly commendable; particularly
where the intercolumniations are large, (as in a fecond or third Order,) or in private
houfes, or infide decorations, where lightnefs may be preferred to dignity, and where
* PI. of Orders.
f expence.
JO Of the Orders of Architecture.
expence, and every impediment to the conveniency of the fabrick, ^
avoided: but to fet entirely afide a proportion, which feems to have had general
approbation of the Antient Artifts, is prefuming too far. m reafon alledged i
favour of this praaice, is the weaknefs of the Columns in the Delicate Orders, which
renders them unfit for fupporting heavy burdens. Where the Intervals are
in a Second Order, or in other places where wide Intercolumniations are abfolut y
neceffary, the reafon is good; but, if the Artift is at liberty to difpofe his Columns at
oleafure, the fimpleft and moft natural way of conquering that difficulty, is to em-
dIov more Columns by placing them nearer to each other, as was the cuftom ot the
AnLnts And it muft be remembered, ‘that, though the height of the Entablature, in
a Delicate Order, is made the fame as in a Maffive one, yet it will not, either in
reality or in appearance, be fo heavy; for the quantity of matter in the Corinthian
Cornice A is confiderably lefs than in the Tufcan Cornice B, and the number of Parts
that compofe the former will make it appear far lighter than the latter.
With regard to the Parts of the Entablature, I have followed the method of
Serlio in his Ionic and Corinthian Orders, and of Perrault, who in all his Orders, ex-
ceptinff the Doric, divides the whole height of the Entablature into ten equal parts;
three Sf which he gives to the Architrave, three to the Prize, and four to the Cor¬
nice : and in the Doric Order he divides the height into eight parts; of which two
are given to the Architrave, three to the Prize, and three to the Cormce.
These meafures deviate very little from thofe obferved in the greateft number of
Antiques now extant at Rome, where they have flood the teft of many Ages; and
their limplicity renders them Angularly ufeful in Compolition, as they are eafily re¬
membered and eafily applied.
Of two manners ufed by Architeifts to determine the Dimenfions of the Mould¬
ings, and the leffer Parts that compofe an Order, Ihavechofen the fimpleft, readieft,and
poll accurate; which is by the Module, or femi-diameter of the Column, taken at
the bottom of the Shaft, and divided into thirty Minutes.
Yet there are many who prefer the method of meafuring by equal parts ; ima¬
gining that beauty depends on the fimplicity and accuracy of the relations, between
the whole body and its members, and alledging that dimenfions, which have evident
affinities, ate better remembered than thofe, whofe relations are too complicated to be
immediately apprehended.
With regard to the former of thefe fuppofitions, it is evidently falfe : for the
real relations, fubfifling between diffimilar figures, have no connexion with the appa¬
rent ones : and with regard to the latter, it may or may not be the cafe, according to
the degree of accuracy with which the partition is made. Por inftance, in dividing
the Attic Bafe, (which may be numbered among the fimpleft Compofitions in Archi-
tedfure) according to the different methods, it appears to me as eafy to recolledt the
* Fig. 2. of Mouldings
numbers
II
Of the Orders of Architecture.
numbers lo, 7 i, 4;; i, 5 as to remember that the whole height is to be divi¬
ded into three equal parts, that two of thefe three are to be divided into four, that three of
the four are to be divided into two, and that one of the two is to be divided into lix,
which are to be divided into three. But admitting it were eafier to remember the one
than the other, it doth not feem neceffary, nor even advifable, in a Science, where a
tuii diverhty of knowledge is required, to burden the memory with a thoufand trifling
diraenfions. If the general proportions be known, it is all that is requiCte in compo-
ilng; and when a defign is to be executed, it is eafy to have recourfe to figured draw¬
ings or prints.
The trouble and lofs of time in mcafuring by equal parts are very confiderable;
feeing it is neceflary to form almoll as many fcales as there are different members to be
divided; whereas the ufe of the Module is univerfal throughout the Order, and all its
combinations; and being fulceptbile of the minuteft divilions, the dimenfions may be
fpeedily determined, with the utmoft accuracy; which, by the method of equal parts,
cannot be done without great labour and expence of time.
Columns, in imitation of trees, from which they drew their origin, are tapered
in their Shafts. In the Antiques the diminution is varioully performed; beginning^
fometimes from the foot of the Shaft, and at others from one quarter, or one third of
its height; the lower part being perfeftly Cylindrical. The former of thefe was moft
in ufe amongft the Antients, and being the moft natural and graceful ought to have
the preference, though the latter hath been more univerfally pradfifed by Modern
Artifts.
The firft Architefts, fays Mr. Auzoult, probably made their Columns in ftreight
lines, in imitation of trees; fo that their Shaft was a Frullum of a Cone; but find¬
ing this form abrupt and dilagreeable, they made ufe of fome curve, which, fpringing
from the extremities of the fuperiour and inferiour diameters of the Column, fwellcd
beyond the fides of the Gone, and by that means gave a more pleafing figure to the
Contour.
Vitruvius, in the fecond chapter of his third book, mentions this pradfice, but
in fo obfcure and curfory a manner, that his meaning hath not been underftood; and fe-
veral of the modern Architefts, intending to conform themfelves to his dodtrine, have
made the diameters of their Columns greater in the middle than at the foot of the Shaft.
Leon Baptifta, Alberti, and others of the Florentine and Roman Architedbs, • have
carried this to a very great excefs; for which they have been juftly blamed, as it is
neither natural, reafonable, nor beautiful.
Monsieur Auzoult obferves that a Column, fuppofing its Shaft to be die Fruftum
of a Cone, may have an additional thicknefs in the middle, without being fwelled there
beyond the bulk of its inferiour parts, and fuppofes the addition mentioned by Vitru¬
vius to fignify nothing but the encreafe towards the middle of the Column, occafioned
by changing the ftreight line, which at firft was in ufe, for a curve.
This fuppofition is extremely juft, and founded on what is obferved in the works of
Antiquity ■ where there is no inftance of Columns thicker in the middle than at the bottom,
^ ’ Q though
12 Of the. Orders of Architedure.
all have the fwelling hinted at b}r Vitrnvius, all of them being terminated by curves;
fome Granite Columns excepted, which are bounded by ftreight lines; a proof, perhaps,
of their Antiquity, or of their having been wrought in the (parries of Egypt, by
bungling and unlkilful workmen.
Monsieur Blondel, in his book entitled Rejolutkn des quatre principaux Pnile-
mes d’ydrchiteHure, teaches various manners of diminilhing Columns; the beft and
fimpleft of which is by means of the inftrument which Nicomedes invented to
defcribe the Firft Conchoid: for this, being applied at the Bottom of the Shaft, performs
at one fweep both the fwelling and the diminution; giving fuch a graceful form to
the Column, that it is univerfally allowed to be the moft perfedl: praftice hitherto dif-
covered. The Columns in the Panthaon, accounted the moft beautiful among the
Antiques, are made in this manner; as appears by the exaft meafures of one of them to
be found in Desgodet’s Antiquities of Rome.
To give an accurate idea of the operation, it will be neceflary firft to defcribe Vi¬
gnola’s method of diminution, on which it is grounded. As to this fecond
method, fays Vignola, it is a difcovery of my own; and although it be left
known than the former, it will be eafily comprehended by the figure. Having
therefore determined the meafures of your Column, (that is to fay, the Height of the
Shaft, and its inferiour and fuperiour Diameters),*drawaline indefinitely fromC through
D, perpendicular to the Axis of the Column: this done, fet off the diftance C D, which
is the inferiour Semi-Diameter, from A, the extreme point of the fuperiour Semi-Dia¬
meter, to B, a point in the Axis; then from A, through B, draw the line ABE, which
will cut the indefinite line C D in E; and, from this point of interfeflion E, draw
through the Axis of the Column any number of rays as E b a, on each of which from
the Axis towards the Circumference, fetting off the interval G D, you may find any
number of points, a, a, a, through which if a Curve be drawn, it will defcribe the fwell¬
ing and diminution of the Column.
Though this method be fufficiently accurate for praftice, efpecially if a confide-
rable number of points be found, yet, ftriftly fpeaking, it is defeiftive; as the curve muft
either be drawn by hand, or by applying a flexible ruler to all the points; both of which
are liable to variations. Blondel therefore, to obviate this objetftion, (after having
proved the curve palling from A to C through the points a, a, to be of the fame nature
with the Firft Conchoid of the Antients), employed the inftrument of Nicomedes to
defcribe it; the conftruftion of which is as follows:
Having determined, as above, the Length of the Shaft, with the inferiour and fu
periour Diameters of the Column, and having likewife found the length of the line
C D E, take three rulers, either of wood or metal, as F G, ID, and A H • of which
let F G and I D be faftened together at right Angles in G. Cut a dove-tail’ groove in
the middle of F G, from top to bottom; and at the point E on the ruler ID (whofe
diftanc^^ from the middle of the groove in F G, is the fame as that of the point of
mterfeftion from the Axis of the Column,) fix a pin; then on the ruler A H fet off
the diftance A B, equal to C D the inferiour Semi-Diameter of the Column, and at the point
B fix a button, whofe head mull be exaftly fitted to the Groove made in F G, in which
* Fig. 3. PI. of Mouldings.
it
Of the Orders of Architecture.
it is to Aide ; and, at the other extremity of the ruler A H, cut a flit or canal from H to K
whofe length muft not be lefs than the difference of length between E B and E D and
whofe breadth muft be fufficient to admit the pin fixed at E, which muft pafs through
the flit, that the ruler may Aide thereon.
The inftruraent being thus completed, if the middle of the groove, in the ruler F G
be placed exafitly over the Axis of the Column, it is evident that the ruler A H in
moving along the groove, will with the extremity A defcribe the curve A a a C; which
curve is the fame as that produced by Vignola’s method of diminution, fuppofing it done
with the utmoft accuracy: for the interval AB, ab is always the fame; and the point E is
the origin of an infinity of lines, of which the parts B A, ba, ba, extending from the
Axis to the circumference, are equal to each other and to D C. And if the rulers be
of an indefinite fize, and the pins at E and B be made to move along their reipedfive ru¬
lers, fo that the intervals A B and D E may be augmented or diminilhed at pleafiire, it
is likewife evident that the fame inftrument may be thus applied to Columns of
any' fize.
In the remains of Antiquity the quantity of the diminution is various; but feldom
lefs than one eight of the inferiour Diameter of the Column, nor more than one fixth of
it. The laft of thefe is by Vitruvius efteemed the moft perfedl. Vignola has employed
it in four of his Orders, as I have done in all of them; there being no reafon for dimi-
niftiing the Tufcan Column more, in proportion to its Diameter, than any of the reft,
though it be the dodtrine of Vitruvius, and the pradlice of Palladio, Vignola, Scamozzi,
and almoft all the modern Architedb. On the contrary, as Perrault obferves, its diminu¬
tion ought rather to be lefs; as it adfually is in the Trajan Column, in which it is only one
ninth. For even when the fame proportion is kept through all the Orders, the abfolute
quantity of the diminution in the Tufcan Order, fuppofing the Columns of the fame
heighth, exceeds that in the Corinthian, in the ratio of ten to feven; and if, according to the
common pradlice, the Tufcan Column be lefs, by one quarter, at the top than at its
foot the difference between the diminution in the Tufcan and in the Corinthian Columns
will be as fifteen to feven; and in the Tufcan and Doric nearly as fifteen to nine: fo that
notwithftanding there is a very confiderable difference between the lower Diameters of
a Tufcan and of a Doric Column, both being of the fame heighth, yet the Diameters at
their top will be very nearly equal; and confequently the Tufcan Column will in reality
be no ftronger than the Doric one, which is repugnant to the charadler of the Order.
Vitruvius allots different degrees of diminution to Columns of different heights;
giving to ihofe of fifteen foot one fixth of their Diameter; to fuch as are from twenty to
thirty foot one feventh; and when they are from forty to fifty foot high one eighth only;
obferving that as the ey'e is eafily deceived in confidering diftant objedts, which alway's
feem lefs than they really are, it is neceflary to remedy the deception by an encreafe of
their dimenfions, otherwife the work will appear ill conftrudled and difagreeable.
Most of the modern Architedb have taught the fame dodtrine ;. but Perrault in his
notes, both on this paffage and on the fecond chapter of the fixth book, endeavours to
prove the abfurdity thereof. In fadi it is on moft occafions, if not on all, an evident
errour, which Vitruvius and his followers have probably been led into through a negledl
of combining circumftances. . For, if the validity of Perrault’s arguments be not affented
to, and it is required to judge according to the rigour of Optical laws, it muft be remem-
H bered.
Of the Orders of ArchiteBure.
bered that the proper point of view, for a Column of fifty foot high, is ^ f
as for one of fifteen; Lt on the contrary more diftant, m the fame proportion as tfe
Column is higher ; and that confequently the apparent relation between the lower and
upper diametfrs of the Column will be the fame, whatever be its fize: for if we fupprfe
* A to be a point of view, whofe refpeaive diftance from each of theCoIunins, f g, FG,
isiual to He^peaive’heights oFeach, the triangles fAg, FAG will be fimilar,
and Af or Ab, wbich is the fame, will be to Ag, as AF, or its equal AH, is to AG.
Aerefore ifde’be in reality to be, as DE is to BC, it will bkewife be apparently fo,
for the angle d A e will then be to the angle b Ac, as the angk.D AE is to the angle
BAG; and if the real relations differ, the apparent ones will likewife differ.
I HAVE fuppofed the eye of the fpe^ator to be in a line perpendicular to the foot of the
Shaft; but if the Columns be proportionably raifed to any height above the oye, t
argument will ftill remain in force; as the point of view muft of courfe be
ably more diftant: and even when Columns are placed immediately on the ground, which
feldom isthe cafe, the alterationoccafioned by that fituation is too trifling to deferve notice.
When therefore a certain degree of diminution, which by experience is found plea-
fins, hath been fixed upon, there will be no neceflity for changing it whatever be the
height of the Column, provided the point of view is not limited ; but m clofe places,
where the fpeaator is not at liberty to chufe a proper diftance for his point ot light,
the Architea, if he inclines to be fcrupuloufly accurate, may vary : though it i^s in rea¬
lity a matter of no importance; as the nearnefs of the objea will render the image
thereof indiftina, and confequently any fmall alteration inperceptible.
ScAMoZZT, who efteems it an eftential property of the delicate Orders, to
the masfive ones in height, has applied the above cited precept ot Vitruvius to the dir-
ferent Orders ; having diminilhed the Tufean Column one quarter of its diameter, the
Doric one fifth, the Ionic one fixth, the Roman one feventh, and the Corinthian one
eight. In the foregoing part of this Chapter I have Ihewn the fallacy of his notion
with regard to the heights of his Orders, and likewife endeavoured to prove the errour
of diminilhing the Tufean Column more than any of the others ; fo that it will be need-
lefs to fay any more in this place : for, as the cafe is fimilar, the fame arguments may be
here employed.
My intention being to give an exaift idea of the Orders of the Antients, I have re-
prefented them under ftich figures and proportions as appear to have been moft in ufe
in the efteemed works of the Romans; who, in the opinion of Leo. Bap. Alberti, and
other eminent writers, carried ArchiteBure to its perfection. It muft not however be
imagined that the fame general proportions will on all occafions fucceed. They are
chiefly collected from the Temples and Publick Structures of Antiquity, and may by us
be employed in Churches, Palaces, and other Buildings of Magnificence, where Majefty,
and Grandeur of manner may be extended to their utmoft limits, and where, the whole
body being generally large, the parts require an extraordinary degree of boldnefs, to
make them diftinCtly perceptible from the proper point of view; but in lefs confiderable
edifices, and under various circumftances of which I (hall hereafter give an accurate de¬
tail, more elegant proportions will be preferable.
* Fig. 4. PI. of Mouldings.
Of
15
Of the Tufcan Order.
T here are no remains of a regular Tufcan Order among the Antiques:
the doftrine of Vitruvius concerning it is obfcure; and the Profiles of Palla¬
dio, Scamozzi, Serlio, de I’Orme, and Vignola are all imperfeft.
Of the two given us by Palladio, that taken from Vitruvius is too ruftic, the other
too rich, and ill compofed; that of Scamozzi is yet richer, and too like the Doric; Ser-
iio’s is too plain; and Vignola’s, though fuperiour to the other, is faulty in the Cornice,
which is clumfy, with regard to the reft of the Order, ill proportioned in its parts, and
ill profiled.
In the Defign here annexed I have chiefly imitated Vignola’s, who in this Order hath
been almoft univerfally followed; even Inigo Jones, who was fo clofe an adherer to Pal¬
ladio, having employed Vignola’s Profile in York Stairs, and others of his Buildings:
but as the Cornice appears to me far inferiour to the reft of the Compofition, I have not
fcrupled to rejedt it, and in its place fubftitute that of Scamozzi, with fuch alterations as
were evidently neceflary to render it perfeft. The Height of the Column is fourteen
Modules, or feven Diameters, and that of the whole Entablature three and a half Mo¬
dules : which being divided into ten equal parts, three of them are for the Height of the
Architrave, three for the Frize, and the remaining four for the Cornice, the Capital is in
Height one Module; the Bafe, including the lower Cinfture of the Shaft, is alfo one Mo¬
dule. And the Shaft, with its upper Cinfture and Aftragal, twelve Modules.
These are the general meafures of the Order. As to the particular Dimenfions
of the minuter parts, they may be colledled from the Defign, where the Heights and Pro-
jeftions are accurately marked; the latter being counted from perpendiculars raifed at the
extremities of the inferiour and fuperiour Diameters of the Shaft: a method pre¬
ferable to that of de Chambray and Defgodetz, who count from the Axis of the Column;
becaufe the relations between the eights and Projeftions are more perceptible, and
whenever a Cornice or Entablature is to be executed without a Column, which very fre¬
quently happens, it requires no additional labour, as the trouble of dedufting from each
Dimenfions the Semi-Diameter of the Column is faved. *
Scamozzi, that his Bafes might be of the fame Height in all the Orders, has given
the Tufcan one, exclufive of the Cindture, half a Diameter. I have rather chofen to
imitate Vignola and Palladio, who in this have deviated from the general rule: for as
the Bafe of the Tufcan Order is compofed of two Members only, Inftead of fix, which
conftitute the other Bafes, it becomes much too clumfy when the fame general Propor¬
tion is obferved.
The Tufcan Order admits of no Ornaments of any kind: on the contrary it is fometimes
cuftomary to reprefent, on the Shaft of its Column, ruftic Cinftures; as at the Pitti of Flo¬
rence, the Luxembourg at Paris, York-Stairs in London, and many other Buildings of note.
1 his pradlice, however, though frequent, and to be found in the works of feveral celebrated
Architedls, is feldom exculable, as it hides the natural figure of the Column, alters its
I propor-
i6
Of the Ttifcan Order.
proportions, and deftroys the fimplicity of the whole compofition. There are few sam¬
ples of thefe Bandages in the remains of Antiquity; and, in general, it will be advilable
to avoid them in all large compofitions; referving the ruftic work for the mtercolumnia-
tions, where it may be employed with great propriety, to produce an oppofition, which
will render the afpeft of the whole diftinfl: and ftriking. But in fmalier works, whofe
parts are few, and therefore eafily comprehended, they may be fometimes tolerated. Le
Clerc thinks they are proper for gates of Citadels and Prifons, whofe entrance Ihould
be dreadful; and they are likewife fit for gates of Gardens or Parks, Grottos, Fountains,
and Baths, where elegance of form, and neatnefs of workmanlhip, would be out of
charafter. De I’Orme, who was exceeding fond of thefe Ciniftures, hath employed
them in feveral parts of the Thuilleries, covered with Arms, Cyphers, and other en¬
richments. This is quite abfurd; for they can never be confidered in any other light,
than as parts which, to avoid expence and trouble, were left unfinilhed. We likewife
find, in different parts of the Louvre, vermiculated ruftics of which the tracks repre-
fent flower de luces, and other regular figures: a pradbice more unnatural than the former;
though Monfieur Daviler gravely tells us that it fhould always be done with propriety,
and exprefs a relation to the owner of the Strudfure; that is, the figures Ihould reprefent
his Arms, Creft, Mottos, Cyphers, &c.
I have in the plate of Pediments given feveral Defigns of rufticated Columns, which
are colledfed fi'om buildings of note in different parts: and for the manner of executing
them, as it cannot well be deferibed, I refer to the Doric entrance of the King’s ftable at
Charing-Crofs, the gate of Burlington-Houfe in Piccadilly, and that of Queensbury-
Houfe in Burlington-garden: in all which places the different forts of ruftic work are
managed with judgement, and command of the chizel.
Monsieur de Chambray, in the Introdudfion to his Parallel, treats the Tufean
Order with great contempt, and banilhes it to the Country, as unworthy of a place
either in Temples or Palaces: but in the latter part of his work he is more indulgent,
and takes the Column again into favour, comparing it to a Queen feated on her tlirone,
and diftributing honours to her minions.
I (hall not here difpute the juftnefs of Mr. de Chambray’s remarks; but I will ven¬
ture to affirm that not only the Tufean Column, but the whole Order, as reprefented
in the annexed Defign, (which being in faft the produdfion of Vignola and Scamozzi, I
may praife without the imputation of vanity), is extremely beautiful, and for its purpofes
inferiour to none of the reft.
The Tufean Order, carrying with it an idea of ftrength and ruftic fimplicity, is very
proper for rural ufes, and may be employed in Farm houfes. Stables, Maneges, and
Dog-Kennels, Green-houfes, Grottos, Fountains, gates of Parks and Gardens, and, in
general, in all places where magnificence is not required, and expence is to be avoided.
Serlio recommends the ufe of it in Prifons, Arfenals, Treafuries, Sea-ports, and gates
of fortified places; and Le Glerc obferves, that though the Tufean Order, as treated
by Vitruvius, Palladio, and fome others, ought to be entirely rejedbed, yet according
to the compofition of Vignola, there is a beauty in its fimplicity, which recommends
it to efteem, and entitles it to a place both in private and public buildings, even
in Royal Palaces, to adorn the lower Apartments, Offices, Stables, and other places that
require
Of the Tufcan Order. 17
require ftrength and fimplieity, where richer and more delicate Orders would be
improper.
In conformity to the dofitrine of Vitruvius, and to the almoft general praftice of all
the moderns, I have given to the Height of the Tufcan Column feven Diameters, or
fourteen Modules; a proportion which is very proper for rural or military works, where
an appearance of extraordinary folidity is required: but in Town buildings, intended
for civil purpofes, or in interiour decorations, the Height of the Column may be four¬
teen and a half, or even fifteen Modules, as Scamozzi makes it; which augmentation may
be made in the Shaft, without changing any meafures either in the Bafe or Capital: nor
need the Entablature be altered; for, as it is compofed of few parts, it will be fufficiently
bold, though its Height be a little lefs than one quarter of the Height of the Column.
Of the Doric Order.
D E Chambray, in his Parallel, gives three Profiles of the Doric Order;
one taken from the Theatre of Marcellus, and the others copied by Pietro Ligo-
rio from various fragments of Antiquity, in and near Rome. Vignola’s fecond
Doric Profile bears a near refemblance to the moft beautiful of thefe, and was not im¬
probably collefitedfrom the fame Antique which Ligorio copied: though it muft be owned
that Vignola hath, in his compofition, far exceeded the original; having omitted the many
trivial and infignificant mouldings, with which that is overloaded, and in many refpedts,
amended both its form and proportions.
A s this Profile of Vignola’s is compofed in a greater ftyle, and in a manner more
charadteriftic of the Order, than any other, I have made choice of it for my model;
having, in the general form and proportions, adhered ftriftly to the original; though
in particular members I have not fcrupled to vary, when obfervation taught me they
might be improved.
ViGNOLa, as appears by the preface to his Orders, imagined that the graceful and
pleafing afpeft of Architedtonic objedts, was occafioned by the harmony and fimplicity
of the relations between their parts; and, in compofing his Profiles, he conftantly ad-
jufted his meafures by thefe Ample affinities, fuppofing the deviations from them, in his
antique originals, to proceed rather from the inaccurate execution of the workmen, than
from any premeditated defign in the contriver. To this notion may be afcribed many
little defefts, in the proportions of his mouldings, and minuter members; which, though
trifling in themfelves, yet, from the fmallnefs of the parts where they happen to be, are of con-
fequence, and eafily perceivable by a judicious eye. Thefe 1 have therefore endeavoured
to corredb, not only in this, but in others of his Orders; which, from their conformity
to the beft Antiques, I have in the courfe of this work chofen to imitate.
It has been already obferved, that the real relations, fubfifting between diffimilar
figures, have no connedtion with the apparent ones; and it is a truth too evident to re¬
quire demonftration. No one will deny, for inftance, that the Oyolo, in the annexed
Doric Cornice *, viewed in its proper elevation, will appear much larger than the Ca-
* PI. Doric Order.
K pital
Of the Doric Order.
fital of the Triglyph under it; though, in reality, they are nearly of the fame dimen-
fions ; and, if the fame Ovolo were placed as much below the level of the fpeftator’s
eye, as it is above it in the prefent cafe, it is likewife clear that it would appear con-
fiderably lefs than any flat member of the fame fize. Thefe things being fo, a ftrift
attachment to harmonic relations feems to me unreafonable; lince what is really in per-
fe(9: harmony, may in appearance produce the moft jarring difcord.
Perfect proportion in Architeifhire, if confidered only with regard to the relations
between the different objedts in a compofition, and as far as it relates merely to the
pleafure of the fight, feems to confift in this, that thofe parts, which are either princi¬
pal or elfential, Ihould be fo contrived as to catch the eye fucceffively, from the moft con-
fiderable to the leaft, according to their degrees of importance in the compofition, and
imprefs their images on the mind before it is affefted by any of the fubfer-
vient members; yet that thefe Ihould be fo conditioned, as not to be intirely
abforbed by the former, but capable of railing diftindl: ideas likewife, and
fuch as may be adequate to the purpofes for which thefe parts are deligned.
The different figures and fituations of the parts may, in fom'e degree, contribute to¬
ward this effeft ; for fimple forms will operate more fjjeedily than thofe that are com¬
plicated, and fuch as projedt: will be fooner perceived than thofe that are more retired.
But dimenfion feems to be the predominant quality; or that which ails moft powerfully
on the fenfe : and this, as far as I know, can only be difcovered by experience; at
leaft to any degree of accuracy. When therefore any number of parts, arranged in a
particular manner, and under particular proportions, excite, in the generality of judicious
fpedlators, a plealing fenfation, it will be prudent on every occafion, where the fame
circumftances fubfift, to obferve exadfly the fame proportions ; notwithftanding they
may in themfelves appear irregular and unconnected.
In compofing the Orders and other Decorations, which are now offered to
the public, I have conftantly followed this method; having for that purpofe mea-‘
fured, with the utmoft accuracy, many antique and modern buildings, both at
Rome, and in other parts; ftri£tly copying fuch things as appeared to be
perfebl, and carefully correfting others, that leemed, in any degree, faulty: relyino-,
not fo much on my own judgment, in doubtful points, as on the opinion of feve-
ral learned and ingenious artifts, of different nations, with whom I had the advantaoe
of being intimately connedfed when abroad. °
I AM fenfible that the extraordinary degree of accuracy, which hath been aimed at
in thefe compofitions, is of little confequence to the generality of fpedfators. Never-
thelefs, as in Poetry, Mufic, Painting, and indeed in all the Arts, there are many de-
bcacies, which, though they efcape the vulgar, afford uncommon fatisfaftion to perfons
of more enlightened conceptions; fo, in Architeaure, this kind of perfeaion*^is the
fource of a fecondary pleafure, which may be compared to that excited by the graces of
language in Poetry, by the fwell, infleftion, and other artifices of the voice in Mufic
pel” and the Spirited, artful, touches of a mafterly
It may perhaps be objeSed that the proportions here eftabliftied, thouoh oood on
one occafron, may on others be faulty. But this objeftion will be groundlefs with
regard to Capitals and Entablatures: their fituation, with refpea to the Order to which
they
Of the Doric Order.
19
they belong, is conftantly the fame; and the point of view being more or lefs diftant, ac¬
cording to the fize or elevation of the order, the apparent magnitudes of their parts will
conftantly bear, nearly, the fame proportion to each other; even though they fliould be
exalted to a fecond or third ftory. With regard to Bafes, indeed, their being placed on
pedeftals, or immediately on the ground, will occafion fome difference in their appea¬
rance; and, when they are raifed to a fecond ftory, their figure and apparent proportions
will be confiderably altered. Neverthelefs, it doth not feem neceflary to vary their di-
menfions in either of thefe cafes: for in the former of the two the alteration would be tri¬
fling ; and, in the latter, the object is fo far removed from the eye, that the fpeftator is
rather occupied in confidering the general mafs, than in examining it’s particular parts,
which, on account of their diftance, are not diftincffly perceptible.
The Height of the Doric Column, including it’s Capital and Bafe, is fixteen Modules,
and the Height of the Entablature four Modules; the latter of which being divided into eight
parts, two of them are for the Architrave, three for the Frize, and three for the Cornice.
In moft of the Antiques, the Doric Column is executed without a Bafe ; Vitruvius
likewife makes it without one; the Bafe, according to that Author, having been firft
employed in the Ionic Order, to imitate the Sandal, or covering of a woman’s foot.
Scamozzi blames this pradlice; and moft of the Moderns have been of his opinion; the
greateft part of them having employed the Attic Bafe in this Order. MonfieurdeCham-
bray, however, whofe blind attachment to the Antique is, on many occafions, too evident,
argues vehemently againft this pra8:ice; which, as the Order is formed upon the model
of a ftrong man, who is conftantly reprefented bare-footed, is, according to him, very
improper; and though the cuftom of employing a Bafe, in contempt of all ancient au¬
thority, hath, by fome unaccountable and talle notion of beauty, prevailed, he doubts
not but the purer eye^ when apprized of this errour, will eafily be undeceived; and as
what is merely plaufibly will, when examined, appear to be falfe, fo apparent beauties,
when not founded in reafon, will of courfe be deemed extravagant.
Le Clerc’s remarks on this paffage are very judicious; and, as they will ferve to de-
ftroy a notion, which is too prevalent among us, I (hall, for the benefit of thofe, who
are unacquainted with the original, tranflate the whole paffage. “ In the moft ancient
monuments of this Order, fays he, the Columns are without Bafes; for which
“ it is difficult to aflign any fatisfacftory reafon. Monfieur de Ghambray, in
“ his Parallel, is of the fame opinion with Vitruvius, and maintains that the
“ Doric Column, being compofed upon the model of a naked, ftrong, and
“ mufcular man, refembling a Hercules, Ihould have no Bafe; pretending that
“ the Bafe to a Column is the fame as a ftioe to a man. But I muft own I cannot
“ confider a Column without a Bafe, in comparing it to a man, but I am at the fame
“ time ftruck with the idea of a perfon without feet rather than flioes: for which reafon
“ I am inclinable to believe, either, that the Architedfs of Antiquity had not yet
thought of employing Bafes to their Columns or that they omitted them, in order to
“ leave the pavement clear; the Anglesand Projections of Bafes beingftumblingblocks to
“ paffengers, and fo much the more troublefome, as the ArchiteCb' of thofe times frequently
“ placed their Columns very near each other: fo that had they been made with Bafes, the
“ paffages between them would have been extremely narrow and inconvenient; and it
“ was doubtlefs for the fame reafon that Vitruvius made the Plinth of his Tufcan Co-
tt lumn round; that Order, according to his conftruCl:ion, being particularly adapted to
L fervile
20
Of the Doric Order.
“ fervile and commercial purpofes, where conveniency is preferable to beauty. However
“ this be, perfons of good tafte will grant, that a Bafe not only gives a graceful turn
to the Column, but is likewile of real life; ferving to keep it firm on its planj and
that if Columns without Bales are now fet afide, it is a mark of the wifdom of our
“ Architeas, rather than an indication of their being governed by prejudice, as fome
“ adorers of Antiquity would infinuate. ”
In imitation of Palladio, and all the modern ArchiteHs except Vignola, I have
made ufe of the Attic Bafe in this Order: and it is the moft beautiful of any, though
for variety’s fake, when the Doric and Ionic Orders are employed together, the Bafe
invented by Vignola, of which a Profile is annexed, may fometimes be ufed: Bernini has
ufed it in the Colonnades of St. Peter’s, and it hath been fuccefsfully applied in many
other buildings.
The Antients fometimes made the Shaft of the Doric Column prifmatic, as appears
by a paffage in the fourth book of Vitruvius; and at other times they adorned it with a
particular kind of lhallow Flutings, defcribed from the center of a fquare, no interval or
fillet being left between them; of which fort there are now fome Columns to be feen at
the Temples of Pefto near Naples, and in the church of St. Peter in Catenis at Rome.
The former of thefe manners hath not, I believe, been imitated by any of the moderns:
nor is the fecond very frequent; Scamozzi blames it for its want of folidity, the projeft-
ing angles between the Flutings being eafily broken, and very fubjedl to moulder.
Vitruvius gives to the Height of the Doric Capital one Module, and all the
moderns, except Alberti, have followed his example. Neverthelefs, as it is of the fame
kind with the Tufcan, they fhould both bear nearly the fame proportion to the Heights
of their refpeftive Columns; and confequently the Doric Capital ought to be more than
one Module, and accordingly it is fo both at the Colifeum, and in the Theatre of Mar-
cellus; being in the former of thefe buildings upwards of thirty-eight Minutes, and in the
latter thirty-three Minutes.
In the Delign here offered, I have made the Height of the whole Capital thirty-
two Minutes, and, in the Form and Dimenfions of the particular members, have
deviated but little from the Profile of the Theatre of Marcellus. TheFrize, orNeck,
is enriched with Hulks and Rofes, as in Palladio’s Delign, and as it has been executed
by Sangallo at the Farnefe, and by Cigoli in the Cortile of the Strozzi at Florence, as well
as in feveral buildings of note in this city. The Projeftion of thefe Husks and Flow¬
ers mull not exceed that of the upper Cinfiture of the Column.
The Architrave is one Module in Height, and compofed only of one Fafcia and a
Fillet, as at the Theatre of Marcellus: the Drops are conical, as they are in all the An¬
tiques ; and not pyramidal, as they are very improperly made by moft of our Englilh
workmen.
The Frize and Cornice are each of them one Module and a half in Height: the
Metope is enriched with a Bull’s skull, adorned with a Garland of Beads; in imitation
of thofe on the Temple of Jupiter Tonans, at the foot of the Capitol. In fome Antique
fragments, and in a great number of modern buildings, the Metopes are alternately en¬
riched with thefe Ox skulls, and Pateras; but they may be filled with any other orna-
r
ments
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Of the Doric Order.
21
ments of good forms, and frequently with greater propriety. Thus, in military ftru d^idrh/.
r /wm/- C drMvdi-df /J/e c/ 'd-/'d(d^
AEJS^.tf 'ii’dd ddfiiftme^r ;H minu^,>.t//fuA’ f/-//i^^tireAf/'i/ dr^ldujiiir/rr,' AB.D^^.d^^forrM/ie iAadi.
CAA'B in /iini/4,nni/fln de /ifir /. 4 C (>/>. A dr.ieede de !jniidenn2 A M.nnd enuhniii-ni/ du- .mnie iift/ieeaBeiny
/rom ltd die hi'e/t'e (‘e/th'et’, die (onfpiien^ did / o/uP- n-d/ /-e f iitii^i/epd. - — ^
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Piide /ineP ,/Wie (ndu-Pm dnPidned /-ePi-eeii AF. nnd de niWe F V eijiiid Pn F f. im de Iddc A F /dnre >/didmce F S /roin
T fim-aidnA, lynn/ fe- F ^1' die /-i-enddi du-/idep nnd diei'ii/i die yunnp .i' deetii’ die /me ^1' T, ii'/ne/i nP// /e h’ C / m
de .litrue /ii-ufinrdi’ii (>.' A S u< fp AF. /diuY di.i /ine on ene/t.nede
tnP’ dtere ei^ua/pinefo, ernddienieid' dn
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'rctii dieyfxep (eiiPri-o. _
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t/
theni :we enlarged; yet, according to the method laid down by him, it cannot poffibly
be effeaed: lince one neceffary confequence of augmenting the diameter of the Column
IS the enlarging the Intercolumniation proportionally. Palladio and Scamozzi, however,
admitted this precept as literally juft; and by their manner of applying it have been guilty
of a confiderable abfurdity. It is evident that Vitruvius intended the five Intercolumnia¬
tions, mentioned in his third Book, merely for the Ionic and Corinthian Orders; the latter
of which, according to him, differed from the former oniy in iPs Capital: for, in’the fecond
and feventh Chapters of his fourth Book, he eftablilhes other Intervals for the Doric and
TufcanOrders. Neverthelefs they have employed thefe Intercolumniations in different Orders.
For Palladio hath ufed the Syftyle in the Corinthian, and the Arseoftyle in the Tufcan;
by which means the Corinthian Periftyle, whofe charadler fhould be extreme delicacy
and hghtnefs, becomes twice as ftrong and material as the Tufcan, whofe diftinguifliing
charatferiftic ought to be extreme folidity: and Scamozzi hath fallen into the fame errour,
though not to fo great an excefs; his Tufcan Intercolumniation being only Diaftyle.
It may, perhaps, be alledged, in favour of this precept of Vitruvius, that, by follow¬
ing his doftrine, the folidity of the Column is encreafed or diminifhed in a greater degree
than the breadth of the Interval; the difference of the latter, between Columns of eight
or ten diameters in Height, being only as 8o to loo; whereas that of the former is as
64 to 100. But the apparent magnitudes of cylindrical bodies viewed in a vertical po-
fition are to each other nearly in the fame ratio as their diameters, not as their folid con¬
tents : and as the bulk of the Architrave, (See. varies exadlly in the fame proportion as that
of the Column does, the real ftrength of the ftruiSure is not in the leaft aftefted by it.
Z
Vignola
44
Of Intercohmniations,
Vignola hath obferved nearly one and the fame proportion in all his Intercolumniations;
which practice, though condemned by feveral eminent writers, is certainly preferable to any
other; as it anfwers perfectly the intention of Vitruvius, preferves the character of each
Order, and maintains in all of them an equal degree ol real folidity. Setting afide
therefore the Pycnoftyle and Syftyle difpofitions, on account of their want of fpace, and the
Arceoftyle for it’s deficiency in point of ftrength, it may be eftablifhed, that the Dyaftyle
Intercoluraniation and the Euftyle, of which the latter ought, on moft occafions, to have
the preference, may be employed without diftin£tion in all the Orders, excepting the
Doric; in which the moft perfect: Interval is the Ditriglyph; neither the Monotriglyph,
nor the Arseoftyle, being to be fuffered but in cafes of neceflity.
It is, however, to be obferved, that, if the meafures of Vitruvius be fcrupuloufly ad¬
hered to, with regard to the Euftyle Interval, the Modillions in the Corinthian and Compo-
fite Cornices, and the Dentils in the Ionic, will not come regularly over the middle of
each Column. The Antients, generally fpeaking, were indifferent about thefe little ac¬
curacies : but the Moderns, taking example by fome of the beft remains of Antiquity, have
with reafon kept ftridlly to them. A trifling alteration will remedy this defe< 9 :, and, being
attended with no inconveniency, it may without hefitation be allowed. I fhall, therefore,
in imitation of Vignola, inftead of two diameters and a quarter, give two diameters and
one third to the Euftyle Intercolumniation, not only in the Ionic, Corinthian, and Compo-
lite Orders, but likewife in the Tufean: for I would endeavour to fimplify the Art, and
avoid an unneceffary encreafe of rules, in a Science already too much encumbered
with them.
Sometimes, on account of the Windows, Doors, Niches, and other Decorations:,
which correfpond with the Intercolumniations of the Periftyle or Gallery, it is not poflible
to make the Intervals fo narrow as Euftyle, or even as Diaftyle: wherefore the Moderns,
authorized by fomfe few examples of Antiquity, where grouped Columns are employed^
have invented a manner of difpofing them, by Perrault called A raeofyftyle, which admits of
a larger Interval, without any detriment to the apparent folidity of the building. This kind
of difpofition is compofed of two Syftyle Intercolumniations; the Column that feparates
them being approached towards one of thofe at the extremities, fufficient room' only being
left between them for the Projedlion of the Capitals: fo that the great Space is three dia¬
meters and a half wide, and the little one only half a diameter.
This manner hath been pradtifed in the Porch of St. Paul’s in London, and in the
principal Front of the Old Louvre at Paris; in thelaft of which buildings the Decorations of
the Niches required fo wide an Intercolumniation, that it would never have been fuppor-
table, without coupled Columns.
Mr. Blondel, in his Cours d^uirchiteHure, employs feveral Chapters of his firft Book
Part 3. to prove the abfurdity of the Araeofyftyle difpofition. His principal objedtions
to it are it’s want of real folidity; it’s extraordinary expenfivenefs, (requiring near double
the quantity of Columns that would be fufficient in the Diaft)de,) and the irregularities
which it occafions in the Doric, Corinthian, and Compofite Entablatures.
These objedbons are too confiderable not to deferve attention; and it will always be
beft to avoid the grouping of Columns. Neverthelefs, if on any occafion, either to humour
the particular fancy of fome capricious patron, or to conquer an otherwife infiirmountable
Of Intercolumniations.
45
difficulty, it ffiould be neceflary to employ them, it may doubtlefs be done; taking care,
however, to ufe fuch methods as will render the irregularities, occalioned by this difpo-
lition, the leaft ftriking and difagreeable. In the Tufean or Ionic Orders no precautions
are neceflary; the Entablature in the former being entirely plain, and in the latter only en¬
riched with Dentils, which admit of a regular diftribution, in all Intervals that arc divifibic
by thirds of Modules. But in the Corinthian and Gompofite it muft be obferved, that,
il the Modillions are regularly difpofed, and according to their juft meafures, they will
not anfwer either in the large or little Intercolumniation, fo as to have one of them over
the middle of each Column. To remedy this defedt the Architedl: of the Periftyle of the
Louvre hath enlarged both the Modillions and the Spaces between them; the diftance from
one center to another, in the broad Intervals, being one Module thirteen Minutes, and in
the narrow ones one Module fifteen Minutes. This method, though tolerable in that build¬
ing, where the Dentil-Band is not cut, and the Angles are terminated by undiminilhed Pi-
larters, will not do in other cafes: for, either the whole Cornice muft be enlarged, and all
it’s proportions changed, or the Modillions will not fall regularly over the Dentils; the
Coffers in the Soffit will be oblong inftead of fquare; and the Space, between the laft Mo-
dillion and that over the Angular Column, lefs by much than any of the others: all which
are irregularities too great to be tolerated. The fimpleft and beft manner of proceeding
is to obferve a regular diftribution in the Entablature, without any alteration in it’s mea¬
fures, beginning at the two extremities of the building: by which means the Modillions will
anfwer to the middle of every other Column, and be fo near the middle of the intermediate
ones, that the difference will not eafily be perceivable. The only inconvenience arifing
from this pradVice is, that the three central Intercolumniations of the building will be broader,
by one third of a Module, than is neceflary for eleven Modillions: but this is a trifling
difference, eafily divided, and rendered imperceptible, in fo great a length. In the Doric
Order grouped Columns are not fb eafily managed ; and, though they have been
employed in many confiderable buildings, and by eminent Architedfs, yet, in very
few of them, have the}’’ been properly treated. At the Church of St. Gervais, and
feveral other buildings in Paris, the Metope between the coupled Columns is much
broader than any of the others; at the Minims near the Place Ro}’ale, that the Metope
may be fquare, the Bafes are confounded together; at the Palace of Vincennes, the Height
oftheFrize is confiderably augmented for the fame reafon: and Scamozzi, wherever he
joins together two Doric Columns, or Pilafters, omits the Bafe of one of them, fubftituting
a Plinth in it’s place; that fo the Interval may not be too broad to admit of a regular Me¬
tope. None of thefe methods are good, nor equal to that of Palladio, which he hath prac-
tifed at the Palace of Count Chiericato, and in the Bafilica of Vicenza. In the latter of thefe,
every part whereof I meafured, when at Vicenza, with great accurac}^ the Interval between
the coupled Columns is twenty one Minutes only: fo that the diftance, from the Axis of one
Column to that of the other, is twoModuIes twenty one Minutes, or fix Minutes more than
is fufficient for a regular Metope and two half Triglyphs. In order to hide this excefs, each
of the Trigl}^phs is thirt)' one Minutes broad, their centers are each of them removed one
Minute within the Axis of the Column, and the Metope is three Minutes broader than the
others: a difference fo trifling that it cannot be perceived without great difficult}". And if
the Entablature is continued without any Break, the irregularity will be ftill lefs percep¬
tible ; becaufe the two Metopes on each fide of the large one will, each of them, by remov¬
ing the Trigl}'ph within the Axis, be augmented one Minute; fo that the difference bet¬
ween them and the large one will only be two Minutes. When, therefore, grouping of Co¬
lumns cannot be avoided in the Doric Order, the Attic Bafe of Palladio muft be employ¬
ed, on account of it’s fmall projediion; the great Interval muft be Arsoftyle, and the fmall
A a one
46 Of Intercolumniations.
one twenty one Minutes, which leaves a fpace of one Minute between the Plinths
of the Bafes.
In Periftyles and Galleries, or Porticos, all the Intercolumniations muft be equal; but
in a Logia, or Porch, the middle Interval may be broader-than the others, by a Triglyph,
a Modillion, or three or four Dentils; unlefs the Columns at the Angles be coupled, or
grouped with Pilafters; in which cafe all the other Intervals Ibould be of the fame.dimen-
fions: for when they are of different breadths, as at the Sprbonne, and at the College
Mazarin in Paris, the uniformity of the Compofition is deftroyed.
Mr. Blondel obferves, that, when Periftyles or Colonnades are compofed of more
than one row of Columns, as are thofe of the Piazza of St. Peter’s at Rome, they Ihould
neither be of circular nor of polygonal figures, but continued, as much as polTible, inftreight
lines: becaufe, in either cafe, the regular difpofition of the Columns is perceivable only from
the center of the figure, the whole appearing from all other points a difagreeable heap ot
confufion. The remark is juft; and I have frequently obferved the bad effects of a cir¬
cular difpofition in the above-mentioned ftrutfture. The fame inconveniency fubfifts with
regard to engaged Pilafters, or half Columns, placed behind the detached Columns of circu¬
lar or polygonal Periftyles; as may be feen in thofe of Burlington-Houfe: wherefore, in
buildings of that kind, it will be better to decorate the Back-Wall of the Periftyle only with
Windows or Niches.
When buildings are very fmall, as is frequently the cafe of Temples, and other inven¬
tions, ufed for the ornament of gardens, it will be neceffary to make the Intercolumnia¬
tions broader, in proportion to the diameter of the Columns, than ufual; becaufe, when they
are nearer each other than three foot, there is not room for a bulky perfon to pafs
between them.
Of Arches.
A rches are not fo magnificent as Colonnades; but they are more folid, and lefs
expenfive. They are proper for Triumphal Entrances, Gates of Cities, of Palaces,
of Gardens, and of Parks; for Porticos round publick Squares, Markets, or large
Courts; and, in general, for all Openings that require an extraordinary breadth. In Bo¬
logna, and fome other cities of Italy, the ftreets are on each fide bordered with Arcades,
like thofe of Covent-Garden and the Royal Exchange; which add greatly to their magni¬
ficence, and, in hot or rainy climates, are exceeding convenient for pallengers, affording
them fhade and flielter; though, on the other hand, they, are a great nufance to the inha¬
bitants, as they darken their apartments, hinder a free circulation of air, and ferve to
harbour idle and noify perfons, who croud their entrances, and difturb their quiet.. At
Rome, the Courts of the Vatican, thofe of Monte Cavallo, of the Borghefe, and of many
other Palaces, are likewife furrounded with Arcades, where the equipages and domeftics
attend under cover; fome of them being fufficiently broad to admit two or three coaches
abreaft.
There are various manners of decorating Arches. Sometimes their Piers are rufti-
cated; at others they are adorned with Pilafters, Columns, Terms, or Caryatides; and
on fome occafions they are made fufficiently broad to admit Niches, or Windows. The
circular
Of Arches.
circular Part of the Arch is either furrounded with ruffic Key-ftones, or with an Archi-
volt, enriched with Mouldings; which, in the middle, is fometimes interrupted by a Con-
fole, a Made, or fome other Ornament of fculpture, ferving, at the fame time, as a Key
to the Arch, and as a Support to the Architrave of the Order. The Archivoit is fome¬
times fupported by an Impoft, at the head of the Pier; and at others, by Columns placed
on each fide of it, with a regular Entablature, or Architrave Cornice: and there are like-
wife iimances of Arcades without Piers; the Arches being turned on fingle Columns, as
in the Temple of Faunus at Rome, and the Royal Exchange in London; which, neverthe-
lefs, is a pratSfice feldom to be imitated, as it is neither folid, nor handfome.
When Arches are large, the Kep-ftone fhould never be omitted, but cut in the form
of a Confole, and carried clofe under the Soffit of the Architrave; which, by reafon of its
extraordinary length, requires a fupport in the middle. And if the Columns, that adorn
the Piers, are detached, as in the Triumphal Arches at Rome, it is neceflary to break
the Entablature over them; making its proje6iion in the Interval no greater than if there
were no Columns at all: for, though the Architrave might be made Efficiently folid, yet
it is difagreeable to fee fo great a length of Entablature hanging in the air, without any prop
or apparent fupport. It is, however, to be remembered, that thefe Breaks in Entabla¬
tures are to be fparingly employed, never indeed but to avoid fome confiderable deformity:
for they deftroy, in a great meafure, the limplicity of the Compofition, and can feldom be
effedfuated without fome mutilation, or ftriking irregularity in the Capitals and Cornices
of the Orders, as may be obferved in many parts of the inlide of St. Paul’s. The Imports
of Arches ffiould never be omitted; at leaft, if they be, a Plat-Band ought to fupply their
place. If Columns are employed without Pedeftals in Arcades, they fhould always be
raifed on a Plinth; which will keep them dry and clean, and rtkewife prevent their Bafes
from being broken. In all Arches it is to be obferved, that the circular Part muft not fpring*
immediately from the Impoft, but take its rife at fuch a diftance above it, as is neceflary in
order to have the whole Curve feen at the proper point of view. When Archivolts are
employed without a Key, or Confole, in their middle, the fame diftance muft be preferv-
ed between the Top of the Archivoit, and the Architrave of the Order, as when there is a
Key; or, at leaft, half that diftance: for, when they are clofe to each other, their jundlion
forms an acute and difagreeable angle.
The Void, or Aperture of Arches, fhould never be in height much more, nor
much lefs, than double their breadth: the breadth of the Pier fhould feldom
exceed two thirds, nor be lefs than one third of the breadth of the Arch, accord¬
ing to the charafter of the Order; and the Angular Piers ought to be broader than the
others, by one half, one third, or a fourth. The Archivoit and Impoft are to be propor¬
tioned to the Arch; due care being taken,. however, to keep them fubfervient to the
Cornice, the Architrave, and other principal Parts of the Order. For which re^on the Im¬
poft fhould not be more than one feventh, nor need it ever be lefs than one ninth of the
Aperture; and the Archivoit muft not be more than one eighth, nor lefs than one tenth
of it. The breadth of the Confole, or Mafk, which feryes as a Key to the Arch, muft at
the bottom be equal to that of the Archivoit; and its fides muft be drawn from the center
of the Arch. The length of it ought not to be lefs than one and a half of its fmalleft breadth,
nor more than double. The thicknefs of the Pier depends on the breadth of the Portico;
for it muft be ftrong enough to refift the preflure of its Vault. But, with regard to the
beauty of the building, it fhould not be lefs than one quarter of the breadth of the Arch, nor
more than one third; and when the Arches are clofed up, to receive Doors, Windows, or
B b Niches,
48 Of Arches,
Niches, the recefs fhould be. deep enough, at leaft, to contain the. moft prominent parts of
what is placed in them; otherwiie the Architecture will appear flat, and the Cornice orthe
Nich, or. Window, projecting before the Front of the Arch, will become too principal in
the Compolition; as we fecit in the fecond Order of the Farnefe at Rome. Thefe di-
^menlions are general: for a more accurate detail, the annexed Defigns * rhay be confult-
ed; where the proper meafures of every part are exprefled in figures.
Vignola, in all his Orders, excepting the Corinthian, makes the height of the Arch
double its breadth: his Piers, when the Columns have no Pedeftals, are always three Mo¬
dules, and four, when they have Pedeftals: his Impofts are all of them one Module, and
the Archivolts are either one Module, or a half, as they belong to Arches with or with"
but Pedeftals. Palladio hath given Deligns only of Arches with Pedeftals. Their height
is from one and two thirds to two and a half of their breadth; and his Piers are all of theni
nearly three Modules and three quarters; excepting in the Compofite Order, where they
are four and four fifths. Scamozzi’sTufcan Arch is, in height, fomewhat lefs than double
its breadth; which height encreafes gradually, till, in the Corinthian Arch with Pedeftals,
it is nearly twice and one half the breadth. His Piers dimlnifti in proportion to the encreafe
of delicacy in the Orders; his Tufcan Pier, in Arches without Pedeftals, being four Mo¬
dules and a half; and his Corinthian only three Modules and three quarters: and, in Arches
with Pedeftals, his Tufcan Pier is four Modules and two thirds; and his Corinthian only
four Modules. His Impofts and Archivolts are like wife varied; and their proportions are
relative to the breadth of the Arch, and to the height of the Pier: fo that they are confi-
derably larger in Arches with Pedeftals than in thofe without.
Vignola’s Arches, being all of the fame proportion, do not charadferife the differences
of the Orders, His Piers, in Arches without Pedeftals, are too narrow, and his Archi¬
volts too flight: in his Doric Arch without Pedeftals, the dlftance between the Arch and
the Architrave of the Order is too confiderable; as indeed it is in feveral others of his
Arches: and, in his Doric with Pedeftals, the Piers are much too broad. Palladio makes
too great a difference between the height of his Arches. His Tufcan and Doric are too
low, and his Corinthian and Compofite much too high. His Piers ,bear a greater propor¬
tion to the Void of the Arch, in the delicate Orders than in the maftive. His Archivolts
are {lender, and his Impofts clumfy and ill profiled. The Apertures ofScamozzi’s Arches
are well proportioned; except in the Corinthian Order, where they are, like Palladio’s, of
an exceflive height. His Piers bear a proper relation to the Arches; as do likewife his
Impofts and Archivolts; though the two laft of thefe, in regard to other Parts of the Com-
pofition, are, in his Arches with Pedeftals, much too predominant; and the members, of
.which they are compofed, are larger than thofe of the Cornice of the Order: a fault which
Palladio hath likewife been guilty of, to a very great excefs. At firft fight, it appears ex¬
tremely reafonnable to augment the fize of the Impofts and Archivolts of Arches, in pro¬
portion to the encreafe of the Aperture; and, in cafes where no Orders are employed, it
ought always to be done; but when the Arches are, not only adorned with Impofts and
.Archivolts, but likewife furrounded with Pedeftals, Columns, and Entablatures, it feems
very improper to change conliderably the proportions of any one of thefe Parts, while
all the reft remain unaltered; fince the confequence muft be a difparity between them, fo
much the more ftriking, as they are near each other, and of fimilar natures; both thefecir-
cumftances facilitating the comparifon; while a trifling difproportion between the Aperture
* See firft and fecond Plates of Arches.
of
Of Arches. 49
of the Arch, and its Impoft, or Archivolt, will feldom be perceived, and never can be
very difagreeable.
I have given Defigns for Arches in all the Orders, wherein I have endeavoured to
avoid the faults with which the above-mentioned Matters are charged. In my Arches
without Pedeftals, the height of the Arch is, in every Order, equal to the length of the
Column; which height, in theTufcan and Doric, is fomething lefs than double the breadth,
and, in the Corinthian, fomething more than double: and, in thofe with Pedeftals, nearly
the fame proportions between the height and the breadth of the Aperture are obferved.
The difference of breadth in the Arches, (fuppoling the Orders to be all of the fame height),
not being conliderable, I have conftantly obferved the fame dimenfions, as well in the
Piers, as in theimpofts and Archivolts; which is done to avoid a troublefome and needlefs
detail; the chara6fers of the different Orders being fufficiently preferved without it: for,
though the Corinthian Pier contains the fame number of Modules as the Tufcan, yet, as
thefe Modules diminifti in proportion to the encreafe of delicacy in the Orders, the real
lize of the one is to that of the other only as feven to ten.
In the Doric Order, the diftribution of the Prize makes it difficult to proportion the
Apertures of the Arches well, either with or without Pedeftals: for the Intervals of three
and four Triglyphs are too narrow, and thofe of four and five rather too broad. With
regard to Arches without Pedeftals, Palladio, to conquer this difficulty, hath, at the Ca-
rita in Venice, omitted the ufual Ornaments of the Prize, and introduced, inftead of them,
an imitation of thofe on the Prize of the Sybill’s Temple at Tivoli; having made the
diftance between the Axis of the Columns only eleven Modules and ahalf^ inftead of twelve
and a half. Le Clerc, in his Defigns of the Doric Order, hath diminifhed the breadth
of the Metopes and Triglyphs; and Scamozzi hath made his Doric Columns feventeen
Modules high, inftead of fixteen, and raifed them on Plinths; which method Sangallo hath
likewife obferved in the lower Order of the Parnefe at Rome.
In imitation of Sangallo, I have, in the Doric Arch without Pedeftals, raifed the
Columns on Plinths, but avoided augmenting their height; as I did not chufe to change
the eftablilhed proportions of the Order, where there appeared fo little occafion for it.
However, if the lownefs of the Arch ffiould be obje£l:ed to, it may eafil)^ be remedied,
either by encreafing the height of the Column, as Palladio hath done in his Arch with
Pedeftals, or by diminiftiing the breadth of the Metopes and Triglyphs, according to
le Clerc's method, or by employing both thefe artifices together; which laft is to be pre¬
ferred, as it will render the change in the proportions of each particular Part lefs confide-
rable. The fame expedients may be ufed in changing the meafures of the Doric Arch
with Pedeftals, if they ftiould not pleafe; obferving to divide the alteration proportionably
between the Pedeftal, the Column, and the Prize of the Order: by which means the height of
the Aperture may be brought to double its breadth, without detriment to any other Part.
Por many things, which, in the ftridinefs of Theory, may appear licentious, are in reality
of no confequence in the execution, becaufe they are not eafily perceptible. The propor¬
tions of the Tufcan Arches may likewife be changed, if required, and the height of the
Apertures be made nearer double their breadth; which, as there are neither Modillions
nor Dentils in the Cornice, may be done without changing the proportion of any Part, of
the Order.
Cc
If
50 Of Arches. .
If the. breadths, which I have given to the Piers 6f all the above-mentioned Arches,
Ihould, though they feem to me well proportioned, be thought too confiderable, they
may be diminifhed, and, in Arches without Pedeftals, reduced to three Modules and three
quarters, like thofe. of Palladio; obferving, in fuch cafe, to reduce the Archivolts to twenty
fix Minutes, inftead of thirty, which they have in the annexed Defigns. The Piers of Ar¬
ches with Pedeftals may likewife be leflened, and,,inftead of four Modules and a half, be
only four; which may be done without changing the dimenfions of the Archivolts; nor need
the Impofts of any of the Arches be altered, though the Piers are.
When Columns are engaged in the Piers, their, projet^on depends on that of the
Impoft, whofe moft prominent part muft be in a line with the Axis of the Column; at leafl:
in the Tufcan and Doric Orders; but in the Ionic, Compofite, and Corinthian, it may pro-
jedh fomewhat beyond the Axis, as in the Redenfore at Venice, one of Palladio’s beft works:
becaufe, when the Columns in thefe Orders are difengaged much above the half of their
diameter, it occaftons very difagreeable mutilations in their Capitals; as may be feen in
the Porch of St. George’s Bloomsbury, and at the Banqueting-Houle.
I have encreafed the thicknefs of the Piers a quarter of a Module in each Order.
Scamozzi’s practice is quite oppofite to this: for he diminilhes his Piers' in thicknefs, as
well as in breadth, in the delicate Orders; by which means the real folidity of the ftrufture
is much affected; particularly, feeing the Columns, which may be confidered as abuftments,
are a great deal weaker, in the Compofite and Corinthian, than in the Tufcan or Doric
Orders: whereas, according to the method here obferved, the folidity of all the Piers is-
nearly the fame; a circumftance doubtlefs of more confequence than any trifling difpropor-
tion between the thicknefs of the Pier, and the diameter of the Column, which can never
be dilcovered without a very nice examination.
With regard to the interiour Decoration of Arcades, the Portico may either have a
flat Ceiling, or be arched in various manners.- When the Ceiling is flat, there may be, on
the backs of the Piers, Pilafters of the fame kind and dimenfions with the Columns in their
Fronts; facing which there muft be other Pilafters againft the wall, whofe projeiftion,
as well as that of thofe againft the Piers, may be from one fixth to one quarter of their dia¬
meter and thefe Pilafters may fupport a continued Entablature, or only an Architrave
and Frize; the Cornice being interrupted over each Pilafter, and carried acrofs the Portico;
‘its Mouldings ferving to form the compartments of the Ceiling; as in the Veftibule of the
Maftimi atRome,_ and in the Great-Stable of the King’s Mews, near Charing-Crofs. When
the Portico is arched, if the Vault be either femi-circular, or ellyptical, the backs of the Piers
and the wall may be decorated with Pilafters, as above defcribed, and a regular continued
Entablature; the Vault taking its rife from the top of the Cornice, or fomething higher;
as in the Veftibule of St. John de Lateran at Rome: and it may be enriched with compart¬
ments of various regular figures, as hexagons, oftagons, fquares, &c. of which I have ex¬
hibited feveral examples among the Defies for Ceilings. But when it is Groined, or
compofed of Circular Coves with Pendentives, the Pilafters may be as broad as the Co¬
lumns in Front of the Piers: but they muft mount no higher than the top of the Impoft,
whofe Mouldings muft finifh them; and from thence the Groins and Pendentives take their
rife; as do likewife the Linings, or Arcs Douhleaux, that divide the Vault, whole breadth
muft be equal to the Pilafter from which they Ipring.
In
^l/’r/A’/zi/rr/Zf.
Gr/fi
fl/I///.! M/lJf/
&.'S£)orfo
Of Arches.
In the third Plate of Arches are fix different Defigns, all ofthem very perfea in their-
kind. Fig. i is the invention of Serlio; who recommends that manner of arching, where
Columns are already provided, (as it frequently happens in places abounding with Anti-
quitiesj wnofe length is not fufiicient for the intended purpofe; and he obferves, that, where
thefe -^ches are ufed, it will be neceflary to fecure them with ftrong abuttments at each
j diameters of the Column in
breadth, and its height muft be twice its breadth. The breadth of the fmall Interval muft
not ^ceed two thirds of that of the large one, and its height is determined by the height of
the Column. Fig. z is Vignola’s invention, and executed by him in the Cortile of the Pa-
u "The Arches are, in height, fomewhat more than twice their breadth-
the diltance from the Arch to the top of the Cornice is equal to one third of the height of the
Arch; the breadth of the Pier is equal to the breadth of the Arch; and the Aperture of the
window occupies nearly one third of that breadth. Fig. 3 is the invention of Bramante
and executed in the garden of the Belvedere at Rome. The height of the Arch is a trifle
more than twice its breadth. The breadth of the Pier is equal to that of the Arch, and^
being divided into twelve parts, two of them are for the two parts of the Pier that fupport
the Archivolts, four for the two Columns, two for the Intervals between the Nich and Co¬
lumns, and four for the Nich. The height of the Pedeftal is half the diameter of the Arch.
The Columns are ten diameters in height; and the height of the Entablature is one quarter
of the height of the Columns. The Impoft and Archivolt are, each of them, equal to
half a diameter of the Column. Fig. 4 is* very common in the works of Palladio and Inigo
Jones. The height of the Arch may be about twice its breadth; and the breadth of the Pier
from one to two thirds of the diameter of the Arch. Fig. 5 is a defign of Vignola, execut¬
ed at Monte Dragone, a feat of.the Borghefe, near Frefcati. The height of the Arch is
fomething more than twice its breadth; and the breadth of the Pier, including the Co¬
lumns that fupport the Arch, is a trifle lefs than the breadth of the Arch. Fig. 6 is an
invention of Palladio, and executed by him in the Bafilica at Vicenza. The moft beauti¬
ful proportion for Compofitions of this kind is, that the Aperture of the Arch be
in height twice its breadth; that the breadth of the Pier do not exceed that of the
Arch, nor be much lefs; that the little Order be in height two thirds of the large Co¬
lumns, which height being divided into nine parts: eight of them muft be for the height
of the Column, and the ninth for the height of the Architrave - Cornice; two fifths
of which may be for the Architrave, and three for the Cornice: the breadth of the Archi¬
volt may be equal to the fuperiour diameter of the little Columns, and the Key-ftone at
its bottom muft not exceed that breadth.
Of Orders above Orders,
W HEN two or more Orders are employed, one above the other, in a building, the
laws of folidity require, that the ftrongeft fhould be placed lowermoft: where¬
fore the Tufcan is to fupport the Doric, the Doric the Ionic, the Ionic
the Compofite, or Corinthian, and the Compofite the Corinthian onl}^
This rule, however, is not always ftridlly adhered to. Moft Authors place the
Compofite above the Corinthian; and we find it fo difpofed in many Modern Buildings.
There are likewife examples, where the fame Order is repeated; as at the Theatre of
Statilius Taurus, and the Colifeum; and others where an intermediate Order is omitted,
and the Ionic placed on the Tufcan, or the Corinthian on the Doric. But none of thefe
D d pradfices
above
Of Orders
Orders.
praftices are to be imitated: for the firft is an evident trespafs againft the rufe of folidity,
the fecond occafions an irkfome uniformity; and the laft cannot be efFe0
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Cor/ii/Zt/cJii rr y(^iye
Of Pediments.
as men have eyes to fee, and fouls to feel. It is not, however, by any means mv in¬
tention entirely to lay afide a regard to Propriety: on all occafions it mull be kept in
view; in things intended for ufe, it is the primary confideration; and therefore Ihould
on no account whatever be trefpaffed upon, but in objefts merely ornamental, which are
defigned to captirate the fenfes. rather than to fatisfy the underftanding. It feems un-
reafonable to facnfice other qualities much more efficacious to Fitnefs alone.
-t. Antients introduced but few Pediments into their buildings; ufually contenting
j with a fingle one, to diftinguilh and adorn the middle, or principal part: but
e Moderns, Md particularly the Italians, have fome of them been Co immoderately fond
of them, that thar buildings frequently conlift of almoft nothing elfe. At Rome the fronts
ot molt of their Churches are covered with them; as are likewife many of their Palaces and
private houfes, where they are feen of all lizes and figures. For, befides the trian-
plar and round, they have fome compofed of both thefe forms; fome of an undu¬
lated figure; fome femi-hexagonal; fome with the inclined Cornice, and Tympan open
in the middle, to receive a Vafe, a Bull, a Nich with a Statue, or a Tablet for an
Jnlcnption; and others where the Aperture is left void, and the two ends of the inclined
Cornice hnifhed with a couple of Volutes, or Fleurons. There is likewife a fort of
Pediment compofed of two half Pediments, which are not joined together to form a
whole one, but reverfed; the fummits being turned outwards. Of thisTind there is one
under the Porticos of the Gallery of Florence, with a Bull wedged in between the two
Sections. England is far from being free of thefe extravagancies. The buildings of
Condon furnilh many examples of each kind, which, not to offend, I forbear
pointing out.
• The Girder being a neceflary part in the Conftrudlion of a Roof, it is an impropriety
to intermit the horizontal Entablature of a Pediment, by which it is reprefented, to make
room for a Nich, as at St. John’s, Weftminfter; or for an Arch, as in the Cathedral of
St. Paul s; or for a Window, as is the cuftom in moft of the new buildings in this city;
where a femi-circular Window is generally introduced, between the inclined Cornice
of the Pediment and the Door, to light the Hall or Pafiage: and this licence is fo much
the more reprehenlible, as it is extremely ugly; the two parts of the inclined Cornice
thus untied and unfupported, always ftriking the fpe£tator with the idea of a couple of
leavers applied to overturn the Columns on each fide. The making feveral breaks in-
the horizontal Entablature, or Cornice, of a Pediment, as at the King’s Mews, and oa
the Pediments in the Flanks of St. Paul’s, is an impropriety of the fame nature, and full
as difagreeable to the eye.
Vitruvius obferves, that the Greeks never employed either Modillions, or Dentils,
in the horizontal Cornices of their Pediments; both of therri reprelenting parts in the
conftruifion of A Roof, which cannot poffibly appear in that view. There is an
Antique inftance of this praftice in the Temple of Scifi, mentioned by' Palladio, and
a Modern one in the front of the Fueillants, near the Thuilleries at Paris, built by one
of the Manlards. This is extremely Proper, and at the fame time extremely ugly.
The difparity of figure and enrichment, between the horizontal and inclined Cornices,
are defeats by no means to be compenfated by any degree of Propriety whatever;
and therefore to me it appears beft, in imitation of the greateft Roman and Modern
Architefts, always to make the two Cornices of the fame Profile; committing a trifling
impropriety to avoid a confiderable deformity.
Hh In
6o Of Pediments.
In regular ArchiteiEIure, no other form of Pediments can be admitted, befides the
triangular and round. Both of them are beautiful; and when a conliderable number of
Pediments are introduced, as when a range of Windows are adorned with them, thefe
two figures may be alternately employed; as in the Niches of the Pantheon, and in thofe
of the Temple of Diana at Nimes. It is to be obferved, that the two uppermoft Mould¬
ings of the Cornice are always omitted in the horizontal one of a Pediment; and, that
part of the Profile direfted upwards, to finilh the inclined Cornice, this difference of
direftion encreafes the height of the Gyma very confiderably, and makes it far too
clumfy for the other Parts of the Entablature: to obviate which, fome Architefts have
made a break in the Cyma and Fillet, as in the fourth figure, PI. ofPediments. But this produces
a confiderable deformity; and therefore it will be better, when the whole building is co¬
vered with the Pediment, to make the Profile of the Gyma lower than ufual; by which
means it may, notwithftanding the encreafe occafioned by the difference of its direiftion,
be made of a llze fuitable to the reft of the Cornice. ' But, if the inclined Cornice of the
Pediment be, on each fide, joined to a horizontal one, as is the cafe when the middle
Pavillion is flanked with buildings, the only good method of leffening the above men¬
tioned deformity, is to give very little projedfion to the Cyma; by which means the en¬
creafe in its height may be rendered very trifling. The Modillions, Mutules, Dentils, and
other Ornaments of the inclined Cornice, mull anfwer perpendicularly over thofe in the
horizontal Cornice, and their fides be perpendicular to the Horizon.
The Anticnts always avoided introducing Pediments of different fizes in the fame
Compofition. In the chaft remains of Antiquity I do not recolledl any example of two
different fizes in the fame afpedl. Neither do we find that they ever adorned their Niches,
Doors, or Windows with Pediments, when the whole front, or any confiderable part of it,
was covered with one; juftly judging that the immenfe difparity, between the principal
Pediment, and thofe that ihould cover the Parts, could not but produce a difagreeable
effedl; in the fame manner as a Pigmy and a Giant being expofed to view at the fame time,
would both be made ridiculous by the contrail.
These cautious proceedings of the Antient Artifts are good leffons to the Moderns,
which they would do well to carry in their memories, in all forts of Compofitions. For,
wherever there is a confiderable difference of dimenlion, in objedls of the fame figure, both
will equally fuffer by it: the largeft will appear infupportably heavy, and the fmalleft ri-
diculoully trifling: and where the difference is fmall, it will always ftrike as the effedl of
inaccuracy in the workmen; as is the cafe with the Arches in the Bafement of the Horfe-
Guards in St. James’s Park. Befides, this fort of variety betrays fuch a poverty of imagi¬
nation, that an Artift facrifices all claim to Genius in employing it; as a Poet would do,
who Ihould attempt to pleafe by defcribing the fame kind of objeft ten times over, varying
his defcription only by faying that the fecond was not above half as big as the firft, and
the third lefs than either of them, &c.
The proportion of Pediments depends upon their fize: for the fame proportions will
not do in all cafes. When the Bafe of the Pediment is Iliort, its height mull be en-
creafed; and when it is long, it mull be diminilhed. For, if a fmall Pediment be made
low, the inclined Cornice, which is always of the fame height, whatever be the dimen-
fions of the Pediment, will leave little or no fpace for the Tympan: and if a large one be
high, it will appear heavy. The bell proportion for the height is from one fifth to one
quarter of the Bafe, according to the extent of the Pediment, and the charadler of
the
Of Pediments.
6i
•the bodjr It covers; The materials of the Roof mull alfo be attended
covered with tiles, it will be neceffary to raife it more than one quarter
■was the cuftom of the Antients in their Tufcan Temples.
to: for, if it be
of the Bafe; is
The Tympan is always on a line with the front of the Frize; and, when large ma-V
be adorned with fculptures, as at the Manfion-Houfe, reprefenting Arms, Cypherl Tro¬
phies, or Su^bjefts either allegorical or hiftorical, according to the nature of the building.
But when fmall, it is much better to leave it plain. Vitruvius determines the height
ofthe Acroters, or Acroterions, by the height of the Tympan; and Scamozzi by the
projeition of the Cornice, giving to the Dye as much height as the Cornice hath pro-
i D 1 thefe methods are well founded. When the building is terminated
by a Baluftrade the Pedeftals of the Baluftrade ferve for the fide AcroteFs; and that at
the fnmmit rnuft be fuited to them. But when there is no Baluftrade, the Acroters muft
■be ot a iulhcient height, to expofe to view the whole Statue, or Vafe, placed upon them
Irom the proper point of fight for the building.
Of Balujirades.
B alustrades are fometimes of real ufe in buildings, and at other times
they are merely ornamental. Such as are intended for Ufe, as when they are em¬
ployed in Stair-cafes, before Windows, to enclofe Terrafles, &c. muft always be,
nearly,of the fame height; never exceeding three foot andahalf nor everlefs than three: that
10 a perfon of an ordinary fize may, with eafe, lean over them, without being, at the fame
time, in danger of falling. But thofe that are principally defigned for Ornament, as when
they finifh a building, fhould be proportioned to the Archite£ture they accompany; and
their height ought never to exceed four fifths of the height of the Entablature, on which
they are placed; nor fhould it ever be left than two thirds thereof, without counting the
Zocholo, or Plinth; the height of which muft be fufficient to leave the whole Baluftrade
expofed to view, from the point of fight for the building. Palladio hath, in fome of his
works, made the height of the Baluftrade equal to that of the whole Entablature; and
Inigo Jones hath followed his example in many of his buildings; particularly at the Ban-
queting-Hqufe: where, befides this extraordinary loftineft, it is raifed on a very high Plinth.
I do not think either of thefe great Artifts are to be imitated in this practice, as it renders
the Baluftrade much too predominant.
There are various figures of Balufters; the moft regular of which are delineated in
the annexed Plate. The handfomeft are the three in the firft row: their profiles and dimen-
fions are all different: the fimpleft of them may ferve to finifh a Tufcan Order; and the
others may be employed in the Doric, Ionic, Compofite, or Corinthian Orders, accord¬
ing to their degrees of richnefs. The beft proportion, for IBaluftrades of this kind, is to di¬
vide the whole given height into thirteen equal parts; and to make the height of the Balu-
fter eight of thofe parts, the height of the Bafe three, and that of the Cornice, or Rail, two :
or into fourteen, (if it be required, to make the Balufter left,) giving eight parts to the
Balufter, four to the Bafe, and two to the Rail. One of thefe parts may be called a Mo¬
dule; and, being divided into nine Minutes, may ferve to determine the dimenlions ofthe
particular Members, as in the annexed Defigns.
li
The
62 Of Balujirades.
The other Defigns of Balufters, exhibited in the fame Plate, are likewife very perfe£l:
in their kinds, and collected from the works of Palladio, and other great mafters. The
double-bellied ones are the lighteft, and therefore propereft to accompany Windows, or
other Compolitions, whofe parts are fmall, and whofe profiles are delicate. The Bale
and Rail of thefe Balufters may be of the fame profile as for the fingle-bellied ones; but
they muft not be quite fo large. Two ninths of the Balufter will be a proper height for
the Rail, and three for the Bafe. The proportions of the Balufters may eafily be gather¬
ed from the Defigns, where they are marked in figures: the whole height of each being
divided into fuch a number of parts, as is moft convenient for the diftribution of the infe-
riour divifions; one of which parts is the Module divided into nine Minutes.
In Baluftrades, the diftance between two Balufters Ihould not exceed half the diameter
of the Balufter, meafured in its thickeft part; nor be lefs than one third of it. The Pede-
ftals, that fupport the Rail, Ihould be at a reafonable diftance from each other: if they be
too frequent, the Baluftrade will have a heavy look; and if they be far afunder, it will be
weak. The moft eligible diftance between them is, when room is left, in each Interval,
for eight or nine whole Balufters, befides the two half ones engaged in the Flanks of the
Pedeftals. But as the difpofition of the Pedeftals depends on the fituation of the Piers, Pi-
lafters, or Columns in the front, it being cuftomary to place a Pedeftal diredtly over the
middle of each of thefe, it frequently happens that the Intervals are fufficient to contain
lixteen or eighteen Balufters. In this cafe each range may be divided into two, by placing
a Dye in the middle, flanked with two half Balufters. The breadth ot this Dye may be
from one half to two thirds of the breadth of a Pedeftal; and it will be beft to continue
the Rail and Bafe in a ftreight line, without any Break round it; frequent Breaks, of any
kind, being defeftive; and moft fo when they are of different dimenfions; becaufe they
then render the confulion greater.
The breadth of the Pedeftals, when they are placed on Columns, or Pilafters, is re¬
gulated by them; the Dye never being made broader than the top of the Shaft, nor
much narrower: and when there are neither Columns, nor Pilafters, in the front, the
Dye fhould not be much lower than a fquare, and feldom higher.
On Stairs, or any other inclined Planes, the fame proportions are to be obferved as on
horizontal ones. It is fometimes cuftomary to make the Mouldings of the Balufters fol¬
low the inclination of the Plane: but this is difficult to execute, and not very handfome
when done; fo that it will be better to keep them horizontal, and make the Abacus and
Plinth in fona of wedgeSj as In figuic r, PI. ot Balufters r making their height, at
the Axis of the Balufter, the fame as ufual. The diftance between two Balufters, on in¬
clined Planes, muft not be quite fo much as when they are in a horizontal fituation; becaufe
the thickeft parts do not then come on the fame level. Le Clerc thinks it beft to finifti
the inclined Baluftrades of Stairs, or Steps, with horizontal Pedeftals, placed on the floor,
or pavement, to which they defeend. The method of joining the horizontal Mouldings
of thefe to the inclined ones of the Rail and Bafe of the Baluftrade, is expreffed in figure i
of the annexed Plate.
As the intention of Baluftrades is properly to enclofe TerralTes, and other heights where
men refort, in order to prevent accidents, it is an impropriety, as d’Aviler obferves, to
place them on the inclined Cornices of Pediments; (as at S'"’ Sufanna and S'"’ Maria della
Vittoria, near Dioclefian’s Baths at Rome;) or in any other places, where it is not appa¬
rently
Of Balujirades,
65
rently practicable, at leaft, for men to walk. When Baluftrades are ufed in interiour De¬
corations, as on Stairs, to enclofe Altars, Thrones, Tribunals, Alcoves, Buffets in public
Aflembly-Rooms, &c. or when, in Gardens,- they enclofe Bafons of Water, Fountains,
or any other Decoration, the figures of the Balufters may be varied, and enriched with
Ornaments proper to the place they adorn.
If Statues are placed upon a Baluftrade, their height Ihouid not exceed one quarter of
the Column and Entablature, on which the Baluftrade ftands. Their Attitude muft be up¬
right; or, if any thing, bending a trifle forwards: but never inclined to either fide. Their
legs muft be clofe to each other; and the drapery clofe to their bodies: for when
they ftand ftradling, with their bodies tortured into half a .dozen bends, and their
draperies waving in the wind, as on the Colonnades of St. Peter’s, they have a moft difa-
greeable effecft; efpecially at a diftance: from whence they appear like lumps of un¬
formed materials, ready to drop upon the heads of paflengers. Thee three figures placed
on the Pediment of Mr. Spencer’s houfe, which are executed by the ingenious Mr. Spang,
are well compofed for the purpofe; The height of Vafes placed upon Baluftrades fhould
not exceed two thirds of the height of Statues. . . .
It is fometimes cuftomary, in interiour Decorations, to employ, inftead of Balufters,
certain Ornaments, called Fretts, or Guillochis. I have, in the Plate of Balufters, given
fome Defigns of them, for the ufe of thofe who ftiall incline to employ them. But it
will be advifeable to do it fparingly: for reprefenting Leaves, Ribands, and Flowers, they
do not carry with them, an idea of ftrength; and therefore are not fit for a Fence.
Of Gates, Doors, and Piers.
T here are two kinds of Entrances; Doors and Gates. The former ferve only
for the Paftage of Perfons on foot: but the latter are likewife contrived to ad¬
mit Horfemen and Carriages. Doors are ufed as Entrances to Churches, and
other public Buildings, to common Dwelling-Houfes, and Apartments; and Gates ferve
for Inlets to Cities, Fortreffes, Parks, Gardens, Palaces, and all Places where there is a
frequent Refort of Coaches. The Apertures of Gates being always wide, they are ge¬
nerally made in the form of an Arch; that figure being the ftrongeft: but Doors, which
are ufually of fmall dimenfions, are commonly of a parallelogram figure, and clofed ho¬
rizontally. The Antients fometimes made their Doors, and even Windows, narrower
at the top than at the bottom. In the Temple of Vefta, at Tivoli, there are examples
of both. But this oddity hath been very little pradbifed by the Modern Artifts. Sca-
* mozzi difapproves of it: fo do feveral other writers: and it is a matter of furprize, that a
perfon of fo refined a tafte, as the late Earl of Burlington, fhould have introduced a couple
of thefe ill-formed Doors in the Cortile of Burlington-Houfe.
The general proportion for the Apertures, both of Gates and Doors, whether arched
or fquare, is that the height be about double the breadth. It is probable that neceftity firft
gave birth to this proportion, which habitude confirmed and rendered abfolute. In the
primitive huts, the entries were doubtlefs fmall; perhaps no larger than was juft fufficient
for a man to creep through. For thofe rude buildings being intended merely as retreats for
the inhabitants at night, or in bad weather, it is natural to fuppofe they made them as dole
aspoflible. But when Architedlure improved, and methods were difcovered of ihutting the
K k Door
Of Gates, Doors, and Piers.
Door occafionalljr, they made it of fuch a fize as was neceflary for giving admittance to a
tall bulky man, without ftooping, or turning afide: that is, they made it about three foot
wide, and fix foot high; or twice as high as broad: which proportion, being become ha¬
bitual, was preferred to any other, and obferved even when the fize of the entrance was
confiderably augmented, and other proportions would have been equally convenient.
We may look for the origin of many proportions in Architefture in the fame fource;
particularly with relation to objefts of real ufe: and the pleafure or dillike, excited in us
at their fight, muft, I believe, be afcribed either to prejudice, or to our habit of connedling
other ideas with thefe figures, rather than to any particular charm inherent in them, as fome
people are apt to imagine. Thus, with regard to elevations, if the breadth be predominant,
we are ftruck with the ideas of majefty and ftrength; and, if the height predominates, with
thofe of elegance and delicacy: all which occafion pleafing fenfations. An excefs of the
former degenerates into the heavy; and an excefs of the latter into the meagre: either of
which are equally difguftful. When objefts are low, and much extended, we naturally con¬
ceive an idea of fomething mean, abjedh, and unwieldy: and when they are extremely ele¬
vated and narrow, they feem fragile and unftable. Perfedt proportion confifts in a Me-
{ dium between thefe Extremes: which Medium the rules of Architedfure tend to fix.
Sometimes too the aptimde of a figure to the purpofe it was intended for endears it to
ns: and what at firft only gained our approbation, in time commands our love; as we fee
men become enamoured of a woman’s perfon, whofe mind was at firft the only attradfive
power. But this laft is not a general rule; and feldom or ever can happen, either when
there is any thing difagreeable in the figure, or any thing remarkably defedlive or de¬
formed in the perfon.
The ufual Ornaments of Gates confift of Columns, Pilafters, Entablatures, Pediments,
Ruftlcs of different forts, Impofts, Archivolts, &c; and the moft common method of adorn¬
ing Doors is with an Architrave, furrounding the fides and top of the Aperture; on which
are placed a regular Frize and Cornice. Sometimes too the Cornice is fupported by a couple
of Confoles, placed one on each fide of the Door; and fometimes, befides an Architrave,
the Aperture is adorned with Columns, Pilafters, Caryatides, or Terms, and a regular En¬
tablature with a Pediment. In the two annexed Plates I have given various Defigns both
of Gates and Doors.
Figure i. in the Plate of Doors is aRufticDoor, compofed by the celebrated Vignola;
in which the Aperture occupies two thirds of the whole height, and one half of the whole
breadth; the figure thereof being a double fquare. The Ruftics may be either fmooth or
hatched: their joints muft form a reftangle, and each joint may be, in breadth, one third,
or two fevenths, of the vertical furface of a Ruftic; the joints of t'neClaveaux, or Key-ftones,
muft be drawn to the fummit of an equilateral Triangle, whofe Bafe is the top of the
Aperture. The Architrave furrounding the Aperture may be compofed either of a large
Oge and Fillet, or of a Plat-Band and Fillet: its whole breadth muft be one tenth of the
breadth of the Aperture; the remaining part of each Pier being for the Ruftics. The En¬
tablature is Tufcan: the Cornice is to be one fifteenth of the whole height of the Door;
and what remains below it, being divided into twenty one equal parts, the two uppermoft
of them will be for the Frize and Architrave, and the remaining nineteen for the Ruftics
and Plinth at the foot of the Door. Fig. z. is another very beautiful compofition of the
fame great Mafter, executed by him at the Palace of Caprarola in the Ecclefiaftical State,
and
64
Of Gates, Doors, and Piers. 65
and copied by Inigo Jones in the Hofpital at Greenwich: a circumftance which pleads
ftrongly in its favour. The Aperture is in the form of an Arch, and occupies fomewhat
more than two thirds of the whole height. It is adorned with two rufticated Doric Pi-
lafters, and a regular Entablature: the height of the Pilafters is fixteen Modules; and that
of the Entablature four: the breadth of the Aperture is feven Modules; its height is four¬
teen Modules; and the breadth of each Pier is three Modules. Fig. 3. is likewife a Defign
of Vignola^s. It is of the Corinthian Order, and executed in the Cancellaria at Rome.
The height is equal to double its breadth; and the whole Ornament at the top is equal to
one third of the height of the Aperture. The Architrave is in breadth one fifth of the
breadth of the Aperture; and the Pilafters, that fupport the Confoles, are half as broad
as the Architrave. The whole is well imagined, but rather heavy; and it will be beft
to reduce the Architrave to one fixth of the Aperture, diminifiiing the whole Entablature
proportionably: but the Pilafters may remain of the breadth they now are, which is not
too great. Fig. 4. is a Difpofition of Michael Angelo’s. The Windows of the Capitol
are of this kind; and Sr. Chriftopher Wren hath executed Doors of this fort, under the
beautiful femi-circular Porches in the Flanks ot St. Paul’s. The figure of the Aperture
may be a double fquare; the Architrave one fixth of the breadth of the Aperture; and the
whole Entablature one quarter of its height. The front of the Pilafters or Columns, on
each fide, muft be on a line witlrthe lower Fafcia of the Architrave; and their breadth
muft be a femi-diameter. Fig. 5. is imitated from a Defign of Philibert de I’Orme. It may
ferve either for a Gate or Outfide-Door: obferving, in the former of thefe cafes, to
raife the Columns on Plinths; and, in the latter, on fome fteps, as all Outfide-Doors ought
to be, both becaufe the lower apartments fhould not be on a level with the ground, and be-
caufe this elevation will fhew the Door, or indeed any other Compofition, to more ad¬
vantage. The Aperture may be, in height, twice its breadth. The Piers muft be a little
more than half the breadth of the Aperture; and the Columns muft occupy half that
breadth: their height may be eight diameters, or fomewhat more; and the Architrave
and Cornice muft bear the ufual proportion to the Columns : tha Frize is omtted ; the
Archivolt is in breadth a femi-diameter of the Column; and its whole extent being divided
into thirteen equal parts, there will be room for feven Claveaux, and fix Intervals; and
the Shafts of the Columns, from the top of the Impoft downwards, being divided into^
tWht equal parts, there will be room for four Intervals, and for ruftic Cinitures; whereof
that which levels with the Impofts may be fquare, as in de I’Orme’s Defign; the reft of
them being made cylindrical. Fig. 6. is a Door in the Salon of the Farnefe at Rome, de-
figned by Vignola. The Aperture forms a double fquare: the Entablature is equal to
three elevenths of its height, the Architrave being one of thefe elevenths; and the whole
Ornament on the fides, confifting of the Architrave and Pilafters, is equal to two fevenths
of the breadth of the Aperture; the Cornice is compolite, enriched with Mutules and Den¬
tils ■ and the Frize is adorned with a Feftoon of Laurel. Fig. 7. is copied from a Door at
Florence, faid to be a Defign of Cigoli’s. The height of the Aperture is a trifle more than
twice its breadth. It is arched; and the Impoft is equal to half a diameter. The Columns ?re
Ionic fomewhat above nine diameters high; and their Shafts are garniftied, each with five
mftic Cinaures. The Entablature is lefs than one quarter of the Column; and the breadth
of the Tablet, in which there is an Infcription, is equal to the breadth of the Aperture.
Fip;. 8. is a CompoEtion of Inigo Jones. The Aperture map be a double fquare.
The Architraves may be from one fixth to one feventh of the breadth of the Aperture;
and the top of it muft level with the upper part of the Aftragal of the Columns. Ihe
Columns are Corinthian, their height is ten diameter, and they muft be at a lutticient
diftance, from the Architrave, to leave room for the Bafes.
66
Of Gates^ Doors, and Piers.
The Entablature may be two ninths, or one fifth, of the Columns, according to
the charadber of the Building in which the Door is employed; and the height of the
Pediment may be one quarter of its Bafe. Fig. 9, is a Defign of Serlio’s. The Aper¬
ture may be either twice as high as broad, or a trifle lefs. The diameter of the Columns
may be equal to one quarter of the breadth of the Aperture; and their height may be
from eight diameters, to eight and a half. The Entablature mull: be fomewhat lels than
one quarter of the height of the Columns; and the height of the Pediment may be one
quarter of its Bafe.
From thefe Defigns and Defcriptions the manner of compofing Doors may eafily
be gathered: and every man may invent a variety of other Defigns, fuitable to the occa-
fions m which they lhall be wanted. Yet fuch as are not endued with the talent of In¬
vention, will do well to copy thefe; which are all very excellent in their kind: and for
more variety they may recur to the Defigns of Windows contained in this work, which
will, molt of them, anfwer equally well for Doors.
In the plate of Gates and Piers, Fig. i. is a Pier of ray Compofition. Its dia-
meter may be one quarter of its height, e.xclufive of the Plinth and Vafe; and the height
of both thefe may be equal to one diameter of the Pier, or a trifle lefs. The Ruftics
may either be plain, hatched, or vermiculated: the height of each courfe may be one
eleventh part of the height of the Pier, counting to the top of the Entablature; the Enta¬
blature two elevenths; and the Bafe of the Pier one eleventh part. Figure z. is likewife
a Compofition of mine, imitated from M. Angelo Buonaroti’s Defign for Cardinal Ser-
monetti. The height of the Aperture is fomewhat more than twice its breadth- which
breadth occupies one third of the breadth of the whole Compofition. The Order is Com-
pofite; and the height of the Entablature is equal to one quarter of the height of the Co-
lumn I have made a Break in it over each Column: but, unlefs the Column proiea
conliderably, it will be as well to carry the Entablature on in a ftreight line. The Di-
menfions of the particular parts may be meafured on the Defign. Fig. 3. is a Pier of my
Compofitmn, executed at Goodwood, the Seat of his Grace the Duke of Richmond in
Suliex. The Diameter is one quarter of the height, exclufive of the finilhing which is
equal to one piameter; and the height of the Pier, from the top of the Entablature
downwards, being divped into eleven and a half parts, one of thefe parts is given to the
Bale, one to each Ruftic, and one and a half to the Aftragal, Frize, and Cornice. Fig. 4.
IS a Compofition of the late Earl of Burlington’s, that great Architea and Patron of the
fine Arts whidi is executed atChifwick, and at Bedford-Houfe in Bloomlbury-Square with
lome little difference. Fig. 5. is an Invention of mine, and fig. 6. is one of Inigo Jones’s ■
ot whi^ kind he hath executed a couple of Piers at Aimlbury in Wiltlhire, the Seat
ot his Grace the Duke of Queenlbury. Among the Defigns at the end of this work
there are various other compofitions for Gates; and any of the Arches, either with or
withoM P^eftals of which I have given Defigns in treating of Arcades, may be em¬
ployed as Gates likewife : obferving however, where the Piers are weak, to fortify them
and make them at leaft equal to half the breadth of the Aperture.
• firft confideration, both in Gates and Doors, is the lize of the Aperture-
m the Dmenfions of which regard muff be had to the fize of the bodies that are
to pais through it. For this reafon infide Doors, however fmall the building may
e n w ic t ey are employed, Ihould never be narrower than two foot nine inches: nor
need they ever, m pnvate houfes, exceed three foot fix inches in breadth, which is more
than
Of Gates, Doors, and Piers.
67
than fufliicient to admit the bulKeft perfon: and their height fhould a^t the very leaft be
lixfoot three or four inches; otherwife a tail man cannot pafs without ttooping.^ Alio
Doors of entrance, to private houfes, Ihould not be lefs than three foot fix inches
broad, nor more than fix foot. In Churches, Palaces, and other public Struc¬
tures where there is a conftant ingrefs and egrefs of people, and frequently great
crouds, the Apertures muft be larger; and their breadth, in the Apartments can¬
not be lefs than four and a half, five and a half, or fix foot; as oatfide doors inuft at lea t,
be fix feet wide, and at moft ten or twelve. The fmalleft breadth that can be
given to the Aperture of a Gate is 81 or 9 foot; which is but juft fufficient lor
the paffage of a Coach: but if Carts likewife are to pafs, it mull not be narrower
than I o or 11 feet, and city Gates, and other entrances where carriages are liable »
Ihould not be narrower than 18 or ao foot. The fame breadths muft likewife be obferved
in the Intervals between Piers, which are to anfwer the fame purpofes a* Gates. In fettling
the dimenfions of the Apertures, regard muft likewife be had to the Architedtare, with
which the Door is furrounded. If it be placed in the Intercolumniation of an Order the
height of the Aperture Ihould never exceed three quarters of the fpace between the Pave¬
ment and the Architrave of the Order; otherwife there cannot be room for the Orna¬
ments of the Door : nor Ihould it ever be much lefs than two thirds of that fpace, for
Aen there will be room to introduce both an Entablature and a Pediment, without croud-
ing- whereas if it be lefs, it will appear trifling, and the Intercolumniation will not be
fufficiently filled. The Apertures of Doors, placed in Arches, are regulated by the Im
polls ■ tZ top of the Cornice being generally made to level with the top of the Impoft.
And ^hen oLrs are placed in the fame line with Windows, the top of the Apermre
muft level with the tops of the Apertures of the Windows; or if that be not prafticable,
without making the Door much larger than is neceffary,
thofe of the Windows, and the tops of all the Cornices made on the fame v .
With regard to the fituation of the principal Entrance, Palladio obPerves that U
Ihould be fo phced, as to allow an eafy communication with every part of Ae bui d g.
Scamozzi omparesit to the mouth of an Animal; and, as natum hath placed the one in
“ddle oT Ae face, fo the Architeft ought to place the oAer in the middle of the
fon“e Edifice; tLt being the moft noble, the moft majeftic, and the moft con^-
Aent Latlon In feveral of the Palaces at Rome, as thofe of the Pamfilia the Corfo
and of the Brachiano at the Santi Apoftoli, there are two principal Entrances in the lame
ata but tht ought to be avoided; as it leaves ftrangers in dotibt where to feek for
the State-Apartment which Aould always be contiguous to the principal Entrance. In
kLbur X”: the Doors of communication mull be fituated, as much as pofl.ble
in a line- thLdvantages of which are, that the Decoration is by that means regular, A
paffage through the Apartments is eafy, and, in Summer, when the ^ ' 5 ^°P“:
L air circulSes freely. It likewife gives a much pnder appearance to _
meats by expofing to view at once the whole fenes of rooms, Ro^uts or
z,y i,L,! -tLh.
M m
68
Of Gates, Doors, and Piers.
making nn Apart¬
ment in itlelf fmall, appear verp conftderable. B i'
Veftibule, or Antichamber, either to the
Ff nSt “w- "*7 middle of the room,
l 7 d be in tL “7 ‘° '-S ™«ms
connived 7 tn “general, all Entrances Ihould be fo
e7 r A 7' T”"’ f glance, the moft magnificent, and the moft
rm^r of the place they openinto. The Doors of cLmunication, from one
walk • thartfebV^' I 7 muft be at leaft two foot diftant from the front
7 * Tables placed againft the Piers, between the Windows, or other pieces
of furniture may not Hand m the way of thofe that pafs. In bed-rooms care mKe
idofe'ird'T™ 7 it be to c™mZnS:rwifh a
drau^fair astf7 *at kind ; as well on account of the
troubleforne 7 °P“'"S of which are
rWmn ’ t dangerous. Neither ought Doors to be placed near
Oiimneys; as the opening them will difturb thofe who fit by^the fire, and the taught of
a r, through de crevices of the Door, be apt to give thL colds! In our norThern
chmates, the fewer Doors a room hath, the better it will be to inhabit: for as we have
much more cold weather than hot, it is neceffary to make the rooms as clofe as poffiUe •
Itifkiw not habitable for the greateft part of the year. Wherefore i 7 ill be
^vifeable never to make more Doors than are abfolutely neceffary; and the feigning of
Doors, to correfpond with the real ones, may likewife be omitted, on many olafions
England the real and feigned Doors of a room, with their Ornaments freLentlv co'
ver fo ^eat a part of the walls, that there is no place left for any other furniture Ind
wi.1. ” '»!■ p--""-
m ^ 7 r and profufely enriched : but fuch as condua to humblefhabi
tations may be fmall, unlefs the nature of the building fliall reqmre otherwife And fna
nngly ornamented if feveramoors are in the fame ffpea, I in the“ofa h7
&c. they Ihould all be of the fame fize and figure: or if there be manv the r,.-; • i
ones, provided they ftand in the middle of the rooms, may be larger, of a diLcn form
^nd more adorned than the reft: but more than two forts^lways^/eed coS
muft, in their compofition, be charaaerized according to the Lture of the place they
Trities X 7'"® ^°"’" and important:. cLs
carts lb™ Id b appearance of Strength and Majefty their
parts Ihould be large, few in number, and of a bold relief Th! fame ought lik^ife to
e o erve in Gates of Parks, or Gardens; and it will be better to compofe all thefe of
cate Proves’ ' ”’ 7 ? 77 ^’ 7 " *° Ornaments, and deli-
mav h ’ Arches, Entrances to Palaces, Magnificent Villas &c
may compofed of the more delicate Orders, and adorned in the higheft d^ree.
of pla“ces Ibm with an Iron Grate; and thofe
and France- for the Pn / -u- ^Y> as they are both in Italy
Carries wiAwW^r 7 the Domeftics, Horfes, and
^ Courts are frequently filled, would give a magnificent idea of
the
Of Gates, Doors, and Piers. 69
the Patrotij and ferve to enliven a City. In London, many of our Noblemen’s Palaces
towards the ftreet, look like Convents: nothing appears but a high Wall, with one or
two large Gates, in which there is a hole for thofe who chufe to go in or out to creep
through; if a coach arrives, the whole Gate is opened indeed; but this is an operation
that requires time, and the Porter is very careful to Ihut it again immediately, for realons
to him very weighty. Few in this vaft city fufpedl, I believe, that, behind an old brick
wall in Piccadilly, there is one of the fineft pieces of Architedlure in Europe: and I could
mention many very decent, and fome even magnificent buddings, that were never feen
by any body, but the friends of the families they belong to, and by fome few inquifitive
people, who are curious enough to peep into every out of the way place.
The Antients frequently covered the clofures of their Doors with Plates, and Baflb
Relievos, of Bronze. There are fome examples yet remaining of this pradlice, both at
the Panthaeon, and at St. John de Lateran; the Doors of which laft building formerly
belonged to the Temple of Saturn. The Doors of St. Peter’s of the Vatican are like-
wife covered with Bronze; and at Florence thofe of the Baptiftery, fronting the Cathedral,
adorned with a great number of figures by Lorenzo Ghiberti, are much efteemed.
But the extraordinary expence and weight of thefe Doors have occafioned their being
laid afide; and wood alone is now ufed. The commoneft fort are made of Deal,
painted in various manners; and the better kind of them are of Wainfcot, Mahogany,
or different forts of precious woods inlaid. With regard to their conftruftion, Mr. Ware
obferves that Strength, Beauty, and Straitnefs are to be confidered; all which purpofeS
are anfwered by compofing them of feveral Pannels. The number of thefe muft depend
on the fize of the Door; which fhould likewife regulate the thicknefs both of the Pannels
and the Framing. If the Doors be adorned with Ornaments of Sculpture, as is fome-
times ufual in very rich buildings, it muft be kept very flat, both for the fake of lightnefs,
and to prevent its being broken. The Pannels may be furrounded with one or two little
enriched Mouldings, contained in the thicknefs of the Framing, and not projefting beyond
it, (as is fometimes feen in old buildings,) which, as well as the Ornaments, may be gilt.
Doors, that exceed three foot and a half in breadth, are generally compofed of two
Flaps; by which means each part is lighter, and when open doth not projedi fo far into
the room. It is to be obferved that all Doors muft open inwards; otherwife in opening
the Door to let a perfon in, you may chance to knock him down.
Of Windows.
T H E firft confideratlon, with regard to Windows, is their fize; which depends
on the Climate, and the Extent of the rooms they are to light. In hot Coun¬
tries, where the Sun is feldom clouded, and where its rays dart more dire<£tly
upon the earth, the light is more intenfe than in colder Climates; and therefore the
Apertures may be lefs: and, in fmall buildings, where the Apartments, generally fpeak-
ing, are likewife fmall, there is no necellity for having Windows of the fame fize as in
large ones, the rooms of which, being commonly fpacious and high, require a confiderable
quantity of light. Palladio obferves that the Windows fhould not be broader than one
quarter of the breadth of the room, nor narrower than one fifth of it; and that their
N n tieight
Of Windows.
hcigli t IhouU be tmce and one fixth of their breadth. But; as in one houfe there are large,
rai mg, and fmall rooms, and all the Windows on one floor muft neverthelefs be of one
hze, he prefers thofe rooms of which the length exceeds the breadth in the ratio of t to a
for determining the dimenfions of the Windows. Thus, when the breadth of the room is
eighteen foot, and the length thirt)^ he divides the breadth into four and a half parts giving
one of thefe parts to the breadth of each Window, and two and one fixth of them to
the height; making the Windows of the other rooms of the fame fize.
In Engird, the Windows of the fmalleft private houfe are, commonly, from three to
three and a half foot broad; and being twice their breadth in height, or fomewhat more
in the principal Apartments, they generally mount to within a foot -or two of the Cei-
hngs ot the rooms, which are fometimes no higher than ten foot, and at molt twelve or
thirteen but, in more confiderable houfes, the Apartments are from fifteen to twenty
foot high or fometimes rnore; and in thefe the Windows are from four to five, and five
and a half toot broad, and high in proportion. Thefe dimenfions are fufficient for dwel-
ing houfes of any fize in this Country-: when they are larger they admit too much of the
cold air in winter: but Churches, and other buildings of that kind, may have much lar¬
ger Windows, and proportioned to the Architeaure of which thefe Struaures are com-
pofed, the parts of which are generally very large.
ft Decorations, if an Order comprehends two
feeTthr^^M d'T''" u it is accompanied fliould Lt much ex¬
ceed three Modules in breadth; but when it contains only one ftory, their breadth may
two fifhT? ‘‘th ’ r” T in Arches may have from
two fifths to three fevenths of the Arch in breadth, and their height muft be fuch that the
Y°p the top of the Impoft of the
rch. the whole Pediment being contained in the circular part, the Pediment muft be
triangular, for two Curves above each other, unlefs they be parallel, do not look well,
K lu ^ proportions of the Apertures of Windows depend upon their fituation Their
breadth in all the Hones muft be the fame; but the different Lights of the Apartmen
make It neceflary to vary the height of the Windows likewife. In the principL uLr k
may be from two and one eighth of the breadth, to two and one third, LordLg as the
rooms have more or lefs elevation. In the ground ftory, where the Apartmfnts are
lower, the Apertures of the Windows feldom exceed a double fquare; and^ when they
fecon"d flLfLafb""“\ frequently made much lower. The Windows of the
fifths aLd tLLf ALvr® -d fo-
ths and thole of Attics, and Mezzanines, either a perfect fquare, or fomewhat lower
The charafter of the Order in which the Windows are employed, and that of the Proffle;
with which they are enriched, muft likewife in fome meafiire be coLfiiltedand^LAnerm^^^^
kfs LraTe.^ ‘he Window are mLL or
of adLninYi:herr^''’LP”"“r'w enriched. Thefimpleft method
a Prize and CorLr ’ *e Aperture, and crowned with
h r^^K -f- ■ ^ the Aperture is remarkably hiah with refpea to its
breadth, it is neceffary to fpread the Ornaments on the fides of it to Te the
LtX plaiSt/an PL"™- ‘”0 ground floo? are fometimesTft
^ ^ y Ornament; and at other times they are furrounded with Rut
tics,
TnOrjOrflnn
Of Windows. yj
tics, or a regular Architrave, with a Frize and Cornice. Thofe of the fecond floor have
generally; an Architrave, carried entirely^ round the Aperture; and the fame is the method
of adorning Attic and Mezzanin Windows: but thefe two kft have feldom or ever either
Frize or Cornice; whereas the fecond floor Windows are often crowned with both.
In' the three annexed plates of Windows, I have given a great variety of Defigns.
Fig. I. in the firft of thefe plates is imitated from the lower Windows of St. Peter’s, com-
pofed by M. Angelo Buonaroti. The Aperture is fomewhat more than a double fquare
in height: the Architrave is one feventh of the breadth of the Aperture; which is like-
wife the breadth of the Pilafters: the Confoles, both at the bottom and top of the Win¬
dow, are, in length, one third of the breadth of the Aperture ; and the whole Entabla¬
ture IS equal to one quarter of its height. Fig. z. is a defign of Bartolomeo
Amanato, executed in the ground floor of the Mattel Palace at Rome. The
lower part of it is well compofed. But the. whole is rather clumfy; and a
Pediment would have done better than the flope at. top. Fig. 3. and 4. are
both of them compofed by ■. Bernardo Buontalenti, and executed in different Pala¬
ces at Florence. The Apertures of this fort of Windows may be a double fquare, or
a trifle more ; the Architrave from one fixth to one feventh of the breadth of the Aper¬
ture; the Pilafters equal to that breadth, when the Architrave is narrow; or lefs by one
quarter, or by one fifth, when it is broad: the whole Entablature ftiould not exceed one
quarter of the height of the Aperture, nor be much lower: the Confoles may be equal
in length to half the breadth of the Aperture at moft, and to one third of it at leaft.
In the fecond plate Fig. i. is a Defign of P. Lefcot, abbot of Clagny, executed in the
Old Louvre at Paris. The proportions may be the fame as in the two laft mentioned ones.
Fig. 2. is what we commonly call, in England, a Venetian Window. It is an invention
of Scamozzi’s. The height of the arched Aperture is twice and one half its breadth: thofe
on the fides are half the breadth of that in the middle, and their height is regulated by
the height of the Columns: the breadth of the Archivolt is equal to the fuperiour dia¬
meter of the Columns. Fig 3. is a Defign of Andrea Palladio’s, executed by him in
many of his buildings. The Aperture is a double fquare: the breadth of the Architrave
is one fixth of the breadth of the Aperture; and the Frize and Cornice together are dou¬
ble the height of the Architrave:. the breadth of the Confoles is two thirds of the breadth '
of the Architrave. Fig. 4. is likewife a Defign of Palladio’s, executed at the Chiericato
in Vicenza. Its proportions differ very little from the former: the Plat-band that fupports
the Window is equal to the breadth of the Architrave. Fig. 5. is a Venetian window,
invented, I believe, by Mr. Campbell. Fig. 6. is a Defign of Inigo Jones’s, executed at the
Banqueting-Houfe. I do not know exatSly what proportions he hath obferved, having
never had an opportunity to meafure the original: : but the Aperture’ may be a double
fquare; the Architrave may be one fixth of its breadth; the whole Entablature one quar¬
ter of its height; and the breadth of the Confoles two thirds of the breadth of the Archi¬
trave. Fig. 7. is a Defign of M. Angelo Buonaroti, executed at the Farnefe, with fome'
difference. For the beautiful difpofition reprefented in fig. 8. we are indebted to the late
Mr. Kent; and it is executed with fome little difference at the Horfe-Guards, in St. James’s
Park. Its proportions may be collefted from the Defign. Fig. 9. is a Defign of Ludo¬
vico Da Cigoli, and executed in the ground-floor of the Ranunchini Palace at Florence.
In the third plate of Windows, fig. i. is imitated from a Defign of Raphael Sanzio da Ur-
bino, executed in the principal floor, of the Pandolfini Palace at Florence. The height
of the Aperture is a trifle more than twice its breadth: the Architrave is equal to one fe-
O o venth
72
Of Windows.
venfh.of the, breadth of the Aperture; the Columns are Ionic, and wiil fucceed-beft . if
they are entirely detached: yet that cannot well be, except on a ground floor: .their
height is nine diameters; their diftance from the Architrave of the Window is a quarter
of a diameter; which, is likewife the diftance of the Entablature from the. top. of the fame
Architrave. The height of the whole Entablature is equal to two ninths of the Column;
and the height of the Pediment is one quarter of its Bafe, or a trifle lefs: the Pedeftals
and Baluftrades are in height one quarter of the Column and Entablature taken together.
Fig. a. is an Invention of Andrea Palladio’s, executed with fome difference in the Porto-
Barbarano Palace at Vicenza. Inigo Jones hath very judicioufly introduced the fameDe-
lign in the flanks of Greenwich Hofpital, and managed all the parts of it far more grace¬
fully than in the original. Fig. 3. is imitated from the Windows-in the principal floor of
the Bracciano Palace at Rome, defigned by Cavaliero Lorenzo Bernini. Fig. 4. is an In¬
vention of Palladia’s, and the Defign here given is very accurately meafured and copied
from the Thieni Palace at Vicenza; in the principal floor of which it is executed. The
height of the Aperture is two and one tenth of its breadth: the Columns are Ionic, one
quarter engaged in the Wall, and nine diameters high; the bottoms of the Capital are on
a line with the top of the Aperture; they have angular Volutes, and an Aftragal and Fillet
below the, Volutes: the Bafes are Tufcan; there are five Dyes on the Shaft of each Co-:
lumn, which are all of an equal breadth; the inner fides of them are on a line with the
fides of the Aperture; and their proje<£l:ion is equal to that of the Plinth of the Bafe, which
is one fifth of a diameter of the Column ; the Key-Stones are diftributed in the manner-
reprefented in the Defign; they encline forwards towards the top; their furlace is rough,
and hatched irregularly with long chops, as are likewife the Dyes on the Columns, their An¬
gles alone being left fmooth; which roughnefs is an agreeable bppofitioh to the' ftnooth
finilhing of the other parts. The Entablature is Ionic; the Architrave compofed of two
Fafcias only; the Frize fwelled, and the Dentil-band placed immediately on the Frize,
without any Ogee to fupport it; a particularity which Palladio hath repeated in others of
his Defigns, though it hath but an indifferent.effe^b. The Pedeftals and Baluftrade are a trifle
higher than ofie third of the Columns: the Dyes and Balufters are placed immediately on
the Plat-band that finifties the Bafement; which is not fo well as if there had been a Bafe:'
but it hath been done to diminifti the projection. This Window is beautiful, different'
from the Defign given of it in Palladio’s Book, and fuperiour to it. Fig. 5. is likewife
a Defign of Palladio’s, copied from the Port! Palace at Vicenza; and fig. 6. is, I believe,
an original Invention of Inigo Jones’s, which hath been executed .in many buildings in
England. I have given, in all, nineteen different Defigns for Windows : and for the
greater variety, the figures 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, in the Plate of Doors may be employed;
they being equally proper either for Windows or Doors.
The Breafts of all the Windows on the fame floor Ihould be on the fame level, and
raifed above the floor, from two foot nine inches, to three foot fix, at the very moft;
when the walls are thich, they ftiould be reduced under the Apertures of the Win¬
dows for the conveniency of looking out; and Seats may be contrived in the thicknefs
of the wall, as is the cuftom in moft Englifh houfes. In France, the Windows are fre¬
quently carried quite down to the floor; and this, when the building is furrounded with
Gardens, or other beautiful profpeCIs, renders the Apartments exceeding pleafant. But
the Iron-work, which, in that Country, is placed on the outfide, by way of a fence to
prevent accidents when the Windows are thrown open, ought to be avoided: for all the
gilding and flourifhing in the world cannot make it tolerable. The beft way is to com-
pofe the fence only of two or three plain Iron-bars, placed direCIly on a level with the
crofs
Of Windows.
73
u*® ''° thev are when the
Window IS fhut, will by that means not be difcovered.
fif "d Windows in the ground floor muft be raifed
_ oot above the Pavement on the outfide of the building, to hinder paffengers from look-
flolr'itfelf’" Apartments. But when this cannot be doL. without raifing the ground
bM Windows may be fornilhed with
blinds. _ The tops of the Apertures of Windows, within the Apartments, Ihould never
be carried clofe to the Cornice ot the room, but a fufficient fpace be left for introducing
the CornicT''’ Mouldings, round them, without crowding upon
' be^eenthe Apertures of Windows depends. In a great meafure, on
their enrichments. The breadth of the Aperture is the leaft diftance that can be between
them; and twice that breadth Ihould in dwelling houfes be the largeft; otherwife the
rooms will not be fufficiently lighted, and the building will look more like a prifon, than
a place calculated for the conveniencies and enjoyments of life. The purpofe for which
the building is intended Ihould likewife be confidered, and regulate the quantity of light
to be introduced. In dwelhng-houfes, and all places where pleafure is the main purpofe
there cannot be too much: but in facred Struaures, which Ihould affea the mind with
awe and reverence, and wherever greatnefs is aimed at, it muft be fparingly diftributed.
The Windows neareft to outward angles muft be at leaft the breadth of the Aper¬
ture from them; and a larger diftance will render the building ftill more folid The
Windows in all the Stories of the fame afpea, muft be placed exaaiy one above an¬
other ; and thofe to the left muft fymmetrife with thofe to the right, both in fize, fitua-
tion, ^ number, and figure. The reafons for all thefe things are obvious enough, and there¬
fore it is needlefs to enumerate them. The licentious praaice of intermitting the Archi¬
trave and Frize of an Order, in the Intervals between the Columns or Pilafters, to make
room for the Windows and their enrichments, which are brought clofe to the Cornice, can
on no account whatever be fuffered in regaar Architeaure; it being in the higheft de¬
gree abfurd to carry the Windows above the Ceiling, and a great want of judgement in
an Architea to intermix, and croud together, filch a number of rich and complicated
parts, as are thofe of the Entablature of the Order and the Entablatures of the Win¬
dows. Befides, the whole beauty of the Order, when fo mutilated, is deftroyed; its pro¬
portions and figure being entirely changed. The interrupting the whole Entablature, to
make room for a Window, and converting it into an Impoft to the Archivolt, as we fee
on the flanks of the Manfion-Houfe, is a licence equally unpardonable. Sir Chriftopher
Wren was extremely fond of thefe forts of mutilations; and every lover of Architedfture
muft owe him a grudge for having fo unmercifully mangled many parts of the infide of
St. Paul’s.
The common fort of Builders, in this Country, are extremely fond of variety in
the Ornaments of Windows, and indeed in every other part of a building; imagining,
probably, that it betrays a barrennefs of Invention, to repeat the fame objedl frequently.
There is a Houfe near Berkley-Square, with eleven Windows only in the whole front;
and yet they are of feven different forts. At Iron-Monger’s-Hall in the City, the cafe is
the fame; there being feven or eight forts of Windows in the fame afpeft: and the
like is to be met with in many more buildings, both in Town and Coun-
P p try.
Of Windows.
try. Thefe inventive Gentlemen would do well to give their attention to fome profeflbrs
of the mechanic arts, who, though exerciling their talents on meaner obje( 9 :s, are never-
thelefs worthy of their imitation. NoTaylor thinks of employing feven or eight kinds of
Buttons on the fame coat: a Cutler will not make ten different forts of Knives for the
fame fet; and if a Cabinet-Maker be trufted to furnifh a room, he feldom introduces
more than one fort of Chairs. Their pradfice is founded on experience: the general ap¬
probation of mankind is the ftandard they go by. We do not difcover, either in the
works of Antiquity, or in thofe of the great Modern Architedls, any traces of this foolifh
hankering after variety. The fame objedf is frequently by them repeated a hundred
times over: and this is one of the caufes of that amazing greatnefs, and that noble fimpli-
city, fo much to be admired in their produdfions.
This famenefs muft, however have its limits: for when carried too far, the imagination
of the beholder ftagnates for want of occupation. In the moft admired works of Architec¬
ture, we find the fame objedl generally continued throughout the fame level. Thus one
Order, and one fort of Windows, or Niches, generally reigns throughout the ftory: but
in the other ftories, where the eye and the imagination neceffarily afllirae a frelh courfe,
the decoration is altered. Scamozzi, and fome other eminent Architedts, both in their
dodtrine and pradhce, are fond of diftinguilhing the middle of every compolition, by an
objedl different from the reft. Thus, in a range of Windows, the middle one is gene¬
rally either Venetian, or in the form of an Arch; though all the reft are fquare. How
this may affedf others, I do not well know: but for my own part, I do not like it. Every
one from his own experience muft, I think, have felt a hidden uneafinefs arifing on
finding a Stile, a Ditch, or other impediment of that nature, in his way; and the mind
is equally troubled when it is thus violently and unexpedledly interrupted in contemplating
the parts of a building. Sometimes, however, it may be neceflary to encreafe the fize,
and vary the figures, of the Windows, in the middle, or fome other part, of a front: as
the Earl of Leicefter hath done in his noble Palace at Holkham in Norfolk, in order to
light a Salon, or Hall higher than the reft of the rooms. But then it will be bell; to re¬
peat the fame form three, five, or more times, according to the extent of the plan; that
lb the mind may be in Ibme degree fatiated, before it is cnndudhed to a new objedf. Ve¬
netian Windows, and Doors too, are on fome occafions neceffary; particularly, in fmall
buildings, to light a Hall or Veftibule, &c. But, where they can be avoided, it is beft:
for the Columns which feparate the large Interval, from thofe on the fides, form fuch
flender partitions, that, at a diftance, they are fcarcely perceived, and the whole looks
like a large irregular breach made in the wall.
The Safhes of Windows are generally made of Oak. The London Artificers excell
in thefe works: they make them ftrong, though in appearance flight, and extremely
neat: the fquares of glafs are proportioned to the fize of the Windows; there being com¬
monly three in the breadth, and four in the height, whatever be the dimenfions of the Win¬
dow : each Safh is compofed of two equal parts, placed one above the other; and either
the lowermoft or both of them, being hung on pullies, are moved up or down with great
eafe, the cords and the leads that counterpoile the Safh being both concealed. Thefe
Safhes are much neater, and more convenient, than the French ones; which are compofed
of two vertical diviflons, turn on hinges, and are clofed with an apparatus of Iron-work
weighing a hundred weight or two. The fhutters are always within the Apartments,
wherever beauty is aimed at; thofe on the outfide entirely deflroying the beauty
of the front. They are divided into feveral vertical flips, folding over each other,
for
75
Of Windms.
for the conveniency of ranging them in the thicknefs of the wall, each flip or fold is fra¬
med and compofed of feveral Pannels; each of which may be furrounded with a fmall
Ogee, or Ovolo, contained in the thicknefs of the framing: and, when the Profiles in
the room are enriched, thefe Mouldings muft likewife be fo; particularly on the fold that
faces the Aperture, when the Shutters are folded back; the front of which muft come
flulh with the inner edge of the Architrave round the Aperture, all the other folds being
ranged behind it.
Of Niches, and Statues.
A rchitecture, as Oaviler obferves, is indebted to sculpture for a great
part of its magnificence; and, as the human body is juftly efteemed the moft
perfeft original, it hath been cuftomary, in all times, to enrich different parts of
buildings with reprefentations thereof. Thus the Antients adorned their Temples, Bafili-
cas. Baths, Theatres, &c. with Statues of their Deities, Heros, and Legiflators: and
the Moderns ftill preferve the fame cuftom; placing in their Churches, Palaces, &c.
Statues of illuftrious perfonages, and even Croupes compofed of various figures, reprefent-
ing occurrences collefted from the Hiftories, Fables, or Traditions of particular times.
Sometimes thefe Statues, or Croupes, are detached, raifed on Pedeftals, and placed con¬
tiguous to the Walls of a building, or in the Middle of a room, a court, or a public
fouare: but moft frequently they are difpofed in Cavities made in the Walls, and called
Niches. Of thefe there are two forts : the one being formed like an Arch in its Elevation,
and femicircular, or femi-elliptical in its plan \ the other of a parallelogram figure, both in
its Plan and Elevation.
The Proportion of both thefe depends on theCharafters of the Statues, or on the ge¬
neral Form of the Croupes placed in them. The loweft are, at leaft, a double fquare in
height; and the higheft never exceed twice and one half their breadth.
With regard to the manner of decorating them, when they are alone in a compofi-
tion of Architefture, as in the principal front of the old Louvre at Pans, they are gene¬
rally enclofed in a Pannel, formed and proportioned like the Aperture of a Window and
adorned in the fame manner. Thefe Pannels bear the fame proportion to the Architecture
which they accompany, as a regular Aperture of a Window would do: and the Nich
contained in them is carried quite to the bottom; but on the fides and at the top, there
is a fmall fpace left, between the Nich and the Architrave of the Pannel. And when
Niches ate intermixed with Windows, as in the front of Somerfet-Houfe towar^ the
River and at St. Paul’s, they may be adorned in the fame manner; provided the Orna¬
ments be of the fame figure and dimenlions as thofe of the Windows. But when the fpace
between two Windows is not fufficient to admit of this, it is much better to make the
Niches entirely plain, than to contraft the Aperture, and by that means make the to-
ration narrower than thofe of the Windows, as Inigo Jones hath done at Somerfet-Houfe ,
or than to adorn the Niches in a different manner, as Sir Chiftophe^ren hath done at St.
Paul’s: for both thefe expedients are irregular, and caufe confufion. The tops^d bottoms of
fhefeplainNichesmuft levelwiththetopsandbottomsof theAperturesoftheWindows and
not be raifed above or funk below them, as Daviler teaches: tor on this, and on all othe
«caLns of the like nature, a continuity of ftreight lines muft conftantly be aimed at it
being certain that whenever the eye of the fpeaator is obliged to dance up and
Of Niches, and Statues.
and hunt, if I may be allowed fo to caU it, for an outline, the images raifed in the mind
are alw^'s “nfrfed: and to this, m a great meafure, may be attributed the general dif-
like to the Horfe-Guards, which is a building of fo complicated a figure, both in its Plan
vu almoft impoffible to form a diftinft idea of the whole at once
The fame kind of plain Niches may likewife be employed in narrow Intercolumniations:
but care muft withal be taken, not to fqueeze them in between the Columns or Pilafters-
and therefore when the Interval is notfufficient to afford room for a well proportioned Nich
and a fpace on each fide, between it and the Columns, of at leaft two thirds of a Module’
It will be better to have none at all. iviuuuic.
The fize of the Statues depends on the dimenfions of the Niches. They Ihould nei-
ther be fo large as to feem rammed into them, as at Santa Maria Majore at Rome-
nor fo fmall as to feem loft in them, as in the Panthseon, where they do not occupy above
three quarters of the height of the Nich, and one half of its breadth. Palladilmakes
that the whole head is in the coved part. In the nave of St. Peter’s at Rome, the fLe pro¬
portion hath been obferved; and it hath a very good efteft. The diftance on the ffdes
between the outline of the Statue and the fide of the Nich, Ihould never be lefs than le
third of a head, nor more than one half; whether the Nich be fquare or arched- and
when It IS fquare, the diftance, from the top of the head to the ceilL of the Nich Ihould
not be greater than the diftance on the fides. The Statues are generally raifed on a’Plintli
the kight of which may be from one third to one half of a head; and fometimes where
the Niches are very large in proportion to the Architeaure they accompany, as is the cafe
when an Order comprehends but one ftory, the Statues may be raifed on fmall Pedeftals -
by which means they may be made lower than ufual, and yet fill the Nich fufficiently:
It being to be feared left Statues, of a proper fize to fill fuch large Niches, Ihould make
the Columns and &tablatures appear trifling. The fame expedient muft alfo be
rn rd according to their common proportion come
niderably larger than thofe placed at the top of the building. A^triffing difparitv
wift not be eafily perceived, on account of the diftance of their fiction; but if it be greaf
uft have a bad effea : and therefore this muft be attended to, and remedied either bv
the above memioned method, or by entirely omitting the Statues at the top of the build¬
ing, leaving the Baluftrade free, or placing upon it Vafes, Trophies, Some Wri
ttrs indeed, give thefe Ornaments the preference at all times, to sLues, or Animal ReTre-
fentatons on the tops of buildings, and eminences; alledging that it is abfurd to fun
pfe Horfes and Men conftantly Handing on the Roofi, or ftLk up in the Niches o/a'
fcond or third ftoiy, and very Ihocking and frightful to the imagination De Corde
Clerc l from the ground ; and Le
Clerc IS for Wing nothing but Tutelar Angels on the tops of houfo. To me there
STe elSbfed"^ f°“b“ Ptoptfrt}-; and, I believe, it may in ge-
neral be eltablilhed, that, whenever the image is fo different from the original it renre
*Ai"f- ■>» -1 o*
turrmay be iMKiH /vT - 'i;'' reprefenting beings of a Robuft and GravLa-
Flor’a, and others of a^d;! ‘ at: kindtS
Niches
'(’.jfa/LJ
/
/C€&J .
Of Niches^ and Statues.
Niches being defigned as repofitories for Statues, Groupes, Vafes, &:c. they muft
be fo contrived as to fet off the things they are to contain to the beft advantage. There¬
fore no Ornaments Ihould ever be employed within them, as is fometimes pra£tifed, the
Cove of the Nich being adorned with a large Scallop-Shell, or the whole inlide of it
with Ruftics, Compartments of Froftwork, or of different coloured Marbles: for thele
things confoun’d the outline of the Statue, or Groupe ; and it is even beft not to em¬
ploy an Impoft within the Nich; even that being a confiderable difadvantage to the
figures, which never appear fo perfe£f as when detached on a fmooth furface: an excefs
of Ornaments round the Nich Ihould likewife be avoided; and particularly Mafks,
Bufts,^ Boys, or any reprefentations of the human figure; all which ferve to divide the
attention and divert it from the principal object. The depth of the Nich Ihould always
be fufficient to contain the whole Statue, &c. it being difagreeable to fee Statues, or any
other weighty objects, have a falfe bearing, and fupported on Confoles; and, in the
prefent cafe, the flank views are very uncouth ; for in thefe, a leg, an arm, a head, in
Ihort, thofe parts alone which projedf beyond the Nich, appear, and look like fo many
fragments ftuck irregularly in the Wall.
Of Chimney-Pieces.
A s the Eg}’’ptians, the Greeks, and the Romans, to whom Archite6fure is fo much
indebted in other refpe£fs, lived in warm climates, where fires in the Apartments
were feldom or never neceffary, they have thrown but few lights on this branch.
Amongft the Antiquities of Italy, I do not recolle£f any remains of Chimney-Pieces.
Palladio indeed mentions two; the one at Baia, and the other near Civita Vechia; which
flood in the middle of the rooms, and confifted of Columns fupporting Architraves, where¬
on were placed the Pyramids, or Funnels, through which the fmoke was conveyed, much
after the manner of the Chimney-Piece of the Rotunda in Ranelagh Gardens. Scamozzi
takes notice of three forts of Chimney-pieces, ufed in Italy in his time: one of thefe he
calls the Roman, the Aperture of which is furrounded only with a clumfy Architrave;
another he calls the Venetian, which is likewife adorned with an Architrave, crowned with
a Frize and Cornice, having on the fides of the Architrave Pilafters and Confoles; and
the third fort he calls a PadigUone.
The laft he particularly recommends, where the Walls are thin; it being not hol¬
lowed into the Wall, as the others are, but compofed of a projedling Entablature, fup¬
ported by Confoles, Terms, Caryatides, • &c. on which the Pyramid is placed. This
fort of Chimney-Piece is very common in Italy, and the figures 4 and 9, in the annexed
Plate, are the lower parts of two of them, defigned by Pdladio, and executed, the one
in the Cafa Trevifan in the Ifland of Murano, and the other in the Valmarani Palace at
Vicenza.
Neither the Italians nor the French have excelled greatly in compofitions of Chim¬
ney-Pieces. I believe we may juftly confider Inigo Jones as the firft who arrived a.t any
great degree of perfection, in this material branch of . the Art. Others of our Architects,
fince his time, have wrought upon his ideas; and fome of them, prticularly the late
Mr. Kent, have furniftied good inventions of their own. England is at prefent polTefs d
of many able fculptors, whofe chief employment being to execute magnificent Chim¬
ney-Pieces, noi^ happily much in vogue, it may be faid thatj in tins particular, we lur-
Of Chimney Pieces.
pafs all other nations; not onl}^ in point of expence, but likewife in tafte of Defign, and
goodheis of Workmanihip. Scamozzi mentions a Chimney-Piece, in one of the Pu¬
blic Buildings at Venice, executed from his Defigns, as a moft uncommon piece of mag-^
i\ilicence, having cofl upwards of a thoufand crowns. In this country a much larger ex¬
pence is very frec^uent, and many private houfes are furnilhed with Chimneys, at leaft
as valuable.
- Th® of the Chimney depends upon the dlmenfions of the Room where it is pla¬
ced., In the fhialleft Apartments, the breadth of the Aperture is never lefs than three
fbotj to three foot fix inches? in looms from zo to Z4 foot fquare, or of equal fii-
perficial:dlmenfions,. it may. be from four; to four and a half foot broad; in thofe of Z4
to from four and a 'half to five, and in fitch as exceed thefe dimenfions, the Aperture
may even be :extended to five and a half or fix foot. But if the room be extremely
largt, -as is frequently the enfo- of Halls, Galleries, Salons, &c. and that a Chimney of
this fizs affords neither Sufficient heat .to. warm the room, nor Ipace round it for the
whole company, it is much more convenient and handfomer to have two Chimneys of a
moderate fize, than a fingle one exceeding large, all the parts of which would be clumfy;
and dilproportioned to the other Ornaments of the room.
The Chimney fhould always be fituated fo as to be immediately feen by thofe who
enter ; .‘that they may not have the-perfons already in the room, who are generally feated
near the fire, to look for. The middle of the Partition Wall is the propereft place in
Halls, Salons, and other rooms of paflage, to which the principal entrances are, com¬
monly, in the -middle of the front of the back Walls: but in Drawing-Rooms, Drefling-
Rooms, and the like, the middle of the back-wall is the beft fituation; the Chimney being
then far removed from the doors of communication. And the cafo is the lame with relpe6b
to Galleries and Libraries, whofe doors of Entrance are generally at one end. In Bed-
Rooms the Chimney is always placed in the middle of one of the partition walls; and in
Clofets, and other very fmall places, it is, to fave room, put in a corner. Wherever
two Chimneys are ufed in the lame room, they muft be regularly placed, either dire6Hy
facing each other, if in different walls, or at equal diftances from the center of the Wall,
in which they both are. The Italians frequently put their Chimneys in the front Wajis,
between the Windows: but this muff be avoided; for by fo doing that fide of the room
is crouded with Ornaments, and the reft are left bard, tbe front Walls are much weaken-
td, and the-length of-the.Funnels at the top of the building, which muft neceffarily be
carried above the ridge of the. roof,’have a very difagreeable effect, and are far from being
folid. In large buildings, where the W^alls are of a confiderable thicknefs, the Funnels
are carried up in.the thicknefs pt the Wall: but in fmall ones this cannot be done; and
therefore the Cbiipneys, advance confiderably into the rooms, which hath a very bad
*' 9 .°^. jc will always be bell to make Cup-boards, or
Clofets, in the receffes on each fide of the Chimneys, with blind doors to them; the par¬
titions being either of Wainfcot, with Pannels, hung with paper, or finilhed in any man-
tjer fiiitable to'the other part of die room. By this means, the Cornice, or Entablature,
of the room may be carried -round without any Breaks, the Ceiling be perfedlly regular,
and the Chimney l^ve; no more projedlion than is necelTary to give its Ornaments a
.proper j-elief h
- 1
The proportion of the Apertures Chimney-Pieces of a moderate fize, is ge¬
nerally near a perfedl Iquare; in fmall ones it is a trifle higher; and in large ones a trifle
lower
Of Chimney Pieces.
79
lower. Their Ornaments confift in Architraves, Frizes, Cornices, Columns, Pilafters,
Terms, Caryatides, Confoles, and all kinds of ornaments of Sculpture, reprefenting
Animal and Vegetable produdtions; likewife Vafes, Chalices, Trophies of Arms, and
other Inftruments and Symbols of Religion, Commerce, War, Arts, and Letters. In
defigning them, regard mull be had to the nature of the place where they are to be
employed. Such as are intended for Halls, Guard-Rooms, Salons, Galleries, and other
large places, mull be compofed of large parts, few in number, of diftimft and Ample
forms, and having a bold relief; but Chimney-Pieces for Drawing-Rooms, Dreffing-
Rooms, Bed-Rooms, &c. may be of a more delicate and complicated compofition. The
Workmanlhip of all Chimney-Pieces mull be perfefilly well-finilhed; like all other objedls
liable to a clofe infpeftion; and the Ornaments, Figures, and Profiles,bothin form,propor¬
tions, and quantity, mull be fuited to the other parts of the room,andallufiveto theufes for
which it is intended. All nudities, and indecent reprefentations, mull be avoided in Chim¬
ney-Pieces ; and indeed, in every other Ornament of Apartments, to which Children, La¬
dies, and other modeft and grave perfons, have conftant recourfe; together with all re¬
prefentations capable of exciting Horrour, Grief, Difgull, &c.
CHIMNEY-Pieces are compoled of Wood, Stone, or Marble; the lafl of which is to
be preferred. All Ornaments, Figures, or Profiles, are bell when of the pure white fort:
but Frizes, Tablets, Pannels, Shafts of Columns, and other plain parts, may be made
of Marbles of variegated Colours; fuch as the yellow of Sienna, the Brocatello of Spam,
the Diafper of Sicily, and many others to be had in England. Feftoons of Flowers,
Trophies, &c. cut in white ftatuary Marble, and fixed on a ground of thefe, have like¬
wife a good effedl: but there Ihould never be above two or three different forts of Mar¬
bles, at the utmoft, in the fame Chimney-Piece, all of brilliant Colours, and harmo¬
nizing with each other.
In the two Plates annexed are eleven different Defigns for Chimney-Pieces; fome of
them compofed by Palladio and Inigo Jones, the reft by myfelfi Their proportions
may be gathered from the Defigns, which are pretty accurately executed.
The Funnels of the Chimneys mull be regularly difpofed at the top of the building,
and all of them made of the fame height, breadth, and figure. They will be handfo-
meft when made of Stone, of a cubical form, and finilhed with a flight prnice, compofed ot
three or four Mouldings. Serlio hath given feveral Defigns for the tops of Funnels,
which refemble Towers; and Sir John Vanbrugh frequently converted his into Caltles.
Neither the Italians nor the Englilh have been very fuccefsful m their Defigns for
this purpofe: but upon the fame principles good ones might be made, and on fome
occafions^ applied with propriety, though feldom. Obelisks, or Vafes, might likewife
be fometimes employed, as Scammozzi dire£ls.
Of Profiles for Doors, Windows, Niches, Chimney-Pieces, &c.
W H E N any of the above mentioned objeifts are very large the Profiles of the
Orders are employed in their decoration: but if they are fmall, as is inore Ire-
Sendy le cl, oler Profiles, of a Itfs complicated figure, are ufed. Palladio
hath, in hil firll Book, given Defigns of feye^ral; three of which are exhibited in the^an-
8o Of Profiles for Doors,Windms,Niches, Chimney-Pieces fine.
nexed plate. Fig. i. is the richeft of the three, and very proper for Windows, &c. of
the Corinthian Order. The account given by that Author of its proportions is as fol¬
lows : viz. the Architrave being divided into four equal parts, let three and a half of thefo
be given the height of the Frize, and five to the height of the Cornice: then dividing*
the whole Architrave into eight parts, five of them are for the Fafcia, and three for the
Mouldings: which laft being divided again into feven parts, one of them is for the Aftragal,
and the remaining fix being once more divided into eight parts, three of them muft be given
to the Ogee, three to the Cavetto, and two to the Fillet. The height of the Cornice is
to be divided into fix parts and three quarters; three of which are given to the part under
the Corona, compofed of an Ogee, a Dentil-band, and an Ovolo; the proje^ion of the
Ogee being equal to its height, that of the Dentil to two thirds, and that of the Ovolo
to three quarters of their refpedfive heights: the three quarters of a part are given to
the height of the Ogee between the Cyma and the Corona; and the remaining three
parts, being divided into feventeen, nine of them are for the Cyma and Fillet, and eight
ol them for the Corona. The whole projet^ion of the Cornice is equal to its height.
Fig. z. may be employed in an Ionic, or rich Doric Order. Its Architrave is to
be divided into four parts, and the Prize made equal to three and the Cornice to five of
thefe. The Architrave muft then be divided into three parts; two of which are to be
divided into feven, three ol them being for the lower, and four for the upper Fafcia; the
remaining third part is to be divided into nine, two of which divifionsare given to the Aftra-
gal; and the other feven being divided into five, two of them are for the Fillet, and
three for the Ogee. The height of the Cornice is to be divided into five parts and three
quarters ; one of thefo muft be divided into fix, and five of the fix given to the Ogee,
and one to the Fillet; the projedtion of both thefe members being equal to their height:
another of the five and three quarter parts is given to the Ovolo, whofe projefflion is three
quarters of its height. ^ The Fillet above the Ovolo is one fixth of it in height, and
its projection is equal to its height: the other three parts are to be divided info feventeen,
and eight of thefe given to the height of the Corona, whofe projeiflion is equal to one
and one third of its height; the other nine feventeenths are to be divided into four parts,
and three of theni given to the Cyma, and one to the Fillet: the remaining three quar¬
ters are to be divided into five parts and a half, one of which is for the Fillet under
the Cyma, and the reft is for the Ogee; the whole projedion of the Cornice is
equal to its height. Fig. 3. is proper in a Doric Order. Its divifions are lefs
complicated than the former two, and may eafily be colledled from the Defign.
All Profiles of Doors, Windows, and in ftiort the Profiles of all the fubforvient parts,
muft not only be lefs in the whole, but iikewife in each particular member, than
thofe of the^ Orders employed in the fame compofition, or than the Cornice, or Enta¬
blature, which ferves as a finifhing to the whole: it being the grofleft of errours, to
make any Ornaments belonging to the parts more predominant than thofe that are
particularly appropriated to the embelliftiment of the whole mafs; as Pretro da Cortona
mth done at St. Carlo, in the Corfo at Rome, where the Profiles of-the great. Door on
the mfide are confiderably larger than thofe of the Order in which it is-contained; ' ^
Block Cornices and Entablatures are frequently ufed to finifh plain buildings, where
none of the regular Orders have been employed. Of this kind there is a very beautiful
one, compofed by Vignola, much ufed in Italy, and employed by Sir Chriftopher Wren
to
Of Profiles for Doors, Windows, Niches, Chimnej-Pieces, &cc. 81
to finifli the fecond Order of St. Paul’s. I have given a Defign of it in the fecond Plate
of the Gompofite Order, with the meafures of all its parts, determined according to Vi¬
gnola’s method, by a Module divided into eighteen Minutes. When this Entablature
is ufed to finilh a plain building, the whole height is found by dividing the height of the
whole front into eleven parts; one of which rauft be given, to the Entablature, and the
remaining ten to the reft of the front: and when it is employed to finifti an Order, which
however may as well be let alone, it muft be fomewhat lefs in proportion to the Columns
than a regular Entablature would be; becaufe its parts are larger. The Angles of the
building, where this Entablature is ufed, may be adorned with Quoins; the Ihort ones
about a Module broad, and the long ones a Module and a half; the height of both being
about three quarters of a Module, including the joint.
Among the Profiles for Windows, &c. there are three other Block Entablatures, of
a fimpler make; the fecond of which Palladio hath.executed in a couple of houfes, the one
at Vivaro, and the other at Monteccio, villages of the Vicentine: the other two are not
very different from that: the meafures of all of them are taken from Mr. Gibbs’s Rules,
and may eafily be collefited from the Deligns. Thefe Entablatures need not exceed one
thirteenth of the whole height of the front; nor Ihould they ever be much lefs. Fig. 7.
and 9, in the fame Plate are two block Cornices; the former of which is executed in a
Palace at Milan, and the other by Raphael, at a houfe in the Lungara at Rome : the
height of thefe need never exceed one fixteenth part of the height of the whole front.
Fi^ 8. is an Architrave Cornice, which M. Angelo, Baldafiar Peruzzi, and Palladio, have
employed in fome of their Compofitions. This kind of Profile is a proper finifhing for
Columns fupporting the Archivolts of Arches, as it approaches nearer the proportion of
an Impoft than a regular Entablature would do : its height may be one eighth of the
height of the Column.
Of the Proportions oj Rooms.
T H E Proportions of Rooms depend, in a great meafure, on their ufe, and
aftnal dimenfions : but, with regard to beauty, all figures, trom a Iquare
to a fefquialteral, may be employed for the Plan. Inigo Jones, and other
great Architeas, have fometimes even exceeded this proportion, and extended the
Plan to a double fquare : but the great difparity, between the breadth and length
of this figure, renders it impoflible to fuit the height to both: the end views will
appear too high, or the fide ones too low. It may, perhaps, to fome appear abfurd to
make this obieaion, when Galleries are fi-equently three, four, or five times as long as
broad. But it muft be obferved, that, in this cafe, the extraordinary length renders it
impoflible for the eye to take in the whole extent at once; and therefore the companion
between the height and length can never be made.
The height of Rooms depends upon their figure. Flat-Ceiled ones maybe bwer
than thofe that are Coved: if their Plan is a Square, their height ftiould not
fixths of the fide, nor be lefs than four fifths; and when it is an Oblong, their height may
bfeS to thei; breadth. But Coved rooms,, if Square, muft be as high as broad; and
when Oblong, they may have their height equal to
quarter, or wen one third, of the differenc^between the length and breadth . andtel^
Of the Proportions of Rooms.
leries ftiould, at the very leaft, be in height one and one third of their breadth, and at
the moft, one and a half, fir one and three fifths. Thefe Proportions are all perfeiftly
good, as they obviate any idea of confinement, and, at the fame time, render it praftic-
able, for thofe who are in the room, to examine the Figure and Ornaments of the
Ceiling without pain or difficulty.
It is not, however, always poffible to obferve exaftly thefe Proportions. In Dwel-
ling-houfes, the height of all the rooms on the fame floor is generally the fame, though
their extent be different; which renders it extremely difficult, in large buildings, where
there are a great number of different fixed rooms, to proportion all of them well. The
uliial method, in buildings where beauty and magnificence are preferred to oeconomy,
is to raile the Hall and Salon higher than the other rooms, and make them occupy
two Stories; to make the Drawing-Rooms, with Flat Ceilings; to Cove the middle-fixed
rooms one third, one quarter, or one fifth of their height, according as it is more or lefs
exceffive; and in the fmalleft Appartments, where even the higheft Coves are not fuffi-
cient to render the height tolerable, it is ufual to contrive Mezzanines above them ; or,
when there is not room enough for this, to conftrudl: falfe Ceilings. The Earl of Lei-
cefter’s houfe at Holkham is a mafter-piece in this refpefil, as well as in many others: the
diftribution of the Plan, in particular, is never enough to be admired; it being inimita¬
bly well contrived, both for ftateand conveniency: and with regard to the whole inte-
riour decoration, it may certainly vie in point either of magnificence or tafle, with any
thing now fubfifting.
The coldnefs of our Engliffi climate, and the fragality of thofe who build, are ftrong
objeftions to high rooms: fo that we frequently fee the moft magnificent Apartments, not
above fifteen; fixteen, or at moft eighteen foot high; though the extent of the rooms
would require a much more confiderable elevation. But this pradlice is not to be imitated,
where beauty is aimed at. There are many good expedients for warming rooms, how¬
ever Ipacious or lofty; and to confider expence, in this particular alone, is an ill judged
piece of parfimony; as it renders all other expence employed in the decoration of the
room ineffedtual.
When rooms are adorned with an entire Order, the Entablature fhould never ex¬
ceed one fixth of the whole height, in Flat-ceiled rooms, and one fixth of the upright part
in Coved ones; and, when there are neither Columns nor Pilafters, but only an Enta¬
blature, its height Ihould not be above one feventh of thefe heights. If the rooms
are finiftied with a fimple Cornice, it fhould never exceed one fourteenth, nor ever
be lefs than one fifteenth part of the above mentioned heights: and, when there
is a Frixe added to the Cornice, with an Aftragal and Fillet under it, as is fome-
times cuftomary, the whole height of thefe, together with the Cornice, fhould not ex¬
ceed one eighth of the upright height of the room. In general, all the Profiles with¬
in the building mull be more delicate than thofe on the outfide. The Architraves of the
Doors and Windows fhould never exceed one fixth of the breadth of the Aperture; on
moft occafions, one feventh will be fufficient, and all the other parts mufl be diminilhed
proportionably.
83
Of Ceilings.
C EILINGS are either flat, or coved in different manners.' The fimpleft of the
flat kind are thofe adorned with large compartments, furrounded with one, orfeveral
Mouldings, either let into the Ceiling, or projedting beyond its furface, as repre-
lented in the firft, fecond, and tenth figures, in the firfl: plate of Ceilings: and when the
Mouldings that form the Compartments are enriched, and fome of the Compartments
adorned with well executed Ornaments, liich Ceilings have a very good effe£l:, and are
very proper for common dwelling-houfes, and all low Apartments. Their Ornaments
and Mouldings do not require a bold relief, but being near the eye, they muft be finifhed
with tafle and neatnefs. For higher rooms, the kind of flat Ceilings reprefented in the
third, fourth, feventh, and eighth figures, of the fame plate, and in one of the figures of
the fecond plate, are more proper; as they have a much bolder relief. The ufe of thefe
is frequent, both in Italy and England. They feem to be compofed of various Joyfts,
framed into each other, and forming Compartments of different geometrical figures. The
defigns which I have given are all for fquare Ceilings: but oblong ones, or thofe of any
other form, may be comparted in the fame manner j the figures of the Compartments
being varied according to the fancy of the compofer, and made either Polygonal, Circular,
or Ellyptical. The fides of the Joyfts, forming the Compartments, are generally adorned
with Mouldings; and reprefent either a Ample Architrave, or an Architrave-Cornice,
according to the fize of the Compartments, and the height of the Room: and fometimes
the larger Compartments are deeper than the fmall ones, with which they are accompanied,
and furrounded with a fuller Profile: as in the flat Ceiling in the fecond plate; which is a
Defign of Baldaflar Peruzzi, executed in the veftibule of theMaflimi Palace at Rome. The
Soffits of the Joyfts are feldomleft plain, but adorned with Guillochis, or Frets of various
kinds; of which 1 have given a good number of Defigns in the firft and fecond plates of
Ceilings: and, when the utmoft degree of richnefs in the decoration is aimed at, the bot¬
tom of the Compartments is likewife adorned, either with Paintings, or with Baflb-relie-
vos, reprefenting Grotefque figures, &c. of which there are fome Defigns in the firft plate
of Ceilings.
Coved Ceilings are more expenfive than flat ones; but they are likewife more beau¬
tiful : they are promifcuoufly employed in large and in fmall rooms, and occupy from one
fifth to one third of the height of the Room, according as that height is more or lefs con-
fiderable. If the room is low, in proportion to its breadth, the Cove muft likewife be
low; and when it is high, the Cove muft likewife be fo: by which means the excefs of
height will be rendered lefs perceptible. But, where the ArchitetS: is at liberty to propor¬
tion the height of the room to its fuperficial dimenfions, the moft eligible proportion for
the Cove is one quarter of the whole height. In Parallelogram figured rooms, the mid¬
dle of the Ceiling is generally formed into a large flat Pannel; as in the fifth and fixth
figures of the firft plate of Ceilings; which is either left plain, painted, or adorned with
Compartments, or other Ornaments, according as the decoration is to be rich or Ample.
This Pannel, with the border that furrounds it, may occupy from one half to three fifths
of the breadth of the room. The figure of the Gove is, generally, either a quadrant of
a Circle or of an Ellypfis, taking its rife a little above the Cornice, (that fo the whole
Curve may be feen from the end of the room,) and finiftiing at the border round the great
Pannel in the center. The border projects fomewhat beyond the Coves on the out fide;
and, on the fide towards the Pannel, it is, generaUy, made of a fufficient depth to ad-
U u
Of Ceilings.
84
mit the Ornaments of an Architrave, or an Architrave Cornice. The coved part of the
Ceiling may either be left plain, as in one of the above mentioned Defigns, or adorned,
as in the other; either, in the manner there reprefented, or in any other of the fame
kind, or with Compartments, of which there is a great variety in the third Plate of Cei¬
lings, very proper both for this purpofe, and likewife to adorn flat Ceilings.
In England, circular rooms are not much in ufe: but they are neverthelefs very
beautiful. Their height muft be the fame as that of fquare rooms: their Ceilings may
be flat; but they are handfomer when coved, or of a concave form, whether of a femi-
circular or femi-ellyptical Profile. In the fourth Plate of Ceilings I have given five dif¬
ferent Defigns for them, compofed by M. Angelo, Bartolomeo Amanato, and
Algard), and executed in the Capitol, the Mattel Palace, and the Villa Pamphilia at
Rome: Compartments are likewife very proper for thefe.
Arcs Doubleaux, or Soffits of Arches, as Mr. Gibbs calls them, are frequently
enriched. When narrow, their Ornaments confift of Guillochis^ or Frets: but when
broad, they are- adorned- in a different manner. I have given feveral Defigns of them,
compofed by Raphael, Amanato, and M. Angelo, and executed at St. Peter’s, the Pa¬
lazzo Mattel, and the Villa Madama,
When the Profiles of the room are gilt, the Ceilings muft likewife be fo. The ufual me¬
thod is to gild all the Ornaments, and to leave the grounds white, pearl colour, light
blew, or of any other tint proper to fet off the gilding to advantage. It requires a
good deal of judgement to diftribute the gilding properly: care muft be taken not to leave
Some places bare, while others are fo much covered that they appear like lumps of gold;
and, in general, it is to be obferved, that, wherever the gilding tends, in the leaft, to
confufe the Defign, or render the outline of any part mdiftin6I:, it is ill employed.
Painted Ceilings, which compofe one of the great embellifhmeuts of Italian and
French ftrudbures, are not at all in ufe among us. Should they come into faftiion, we
might hope to fee the noble branch of Hiftory-painting flourifti in England: and till then
it cannot reafonably be expedfed; as Religion hath baniftied pidlures from our Churches,
and the Prejudices of our Connoiffeurs hath-excluded alljnodcrn performances in painting
from our houfes.
I have now gone through the different branches of the Ornamental part of Archi-
tedfure, which is all I purpofe, at this time, to treat of; referving for a future work
thofe parts which relate to Conveniency, OEconomy and Strength. Not knowing how far
I might be equal to the talk, I did not chufe to load the public with too bulky a per¬
formance, poflibly of little merit, nor to rifque my own fortune in an enterprife, perhaps
equally unprofitable to myfelf and others. The work now offered will ferve as a fpe-
cimen of what I intend; and if it meets with an indulgent reception, I ftiall immediately
proceed to compleat the whole. In the mean time, what is now publiftied may be con-
iidered as a diftindV performance, in all refpedts unconnedfed with any thing that is to
follow: which method I chofe, both for my own fecurity, and from a regard to the in-
tereft of my encouragers, many of whom have no occafion for any other part of Archi-
tedbure, than what is contained in the prefent work; the other branches, however im¬
portant they may be to builders, being of little fervice to the generality of men of fortune,
who are defirous of being enabled to judge of the Beauties of a building, without entering
into the detail of it’s Conftru(^on.
ThE"
t.y^u
t^'r.r(ff^/^/ij z/f/,/. J.fi^t’//(^i’j.
, Jij'Hihrj mtY/Phr/('/MpJtvt/m.
''fil i/iUfti um/^' ■
. 2(>yC//(^iH. rn'M/y/ /■/('///•(/Oc/'t/ddf
f /(^^/fm-j A.' i>/f^i^rM//i<‘t/O/r/dJ.
^■il.'cYuuH/via i/c&l.
it'Ahift—•
Of Ceilings. 85
The concife manner m which I have treated my fubje£fc will, It is hoped, be fome in¬
ducement to perfons of diftindiion to perufe my performance: and, if the precepts are as
clear and fatisfadbory as I intended, the book will be of fome ufe, and open a new
field of pleafure, to travellers in particular; many of whom from an utter ignorance in
Architecfture, as well as in other Arts, have heretofore loft half the fruits of their journeys,
returned unacquainted with the moft valuable productions of the countries they had vi-
lited, and perfectly diflatisfyed with an expedition, from which they had reaped very
little either inftru(^iorl or amufement.
Dejigns for Cafines, Temples, Gates, &c.
N the firft Plate is the Elevation of a magnificent Cafine, now erefliing from my
Defigns, at Marino, a Seat of the Lord Vifcount Charlemont’s, near Dublin in Ireland.
In the fecond Plate are the Plans of the Cellar and principal Stories of the fame Build¬
ing There is an Attick Story above the principal, contilting of two Bed-rooms; and over
the Study there is a Mezzanin.
In the third Plate are the Plans and Elevation of a Cafine compofed by me, and now
building under ray direaion, at Wilton, the Seat of the Earl of Pembrokein Wiltlhire.
In the fourth Plate is an Elevation of the principal Front of a Cafine, defigned by me
for Lord Bruce, to be erefted at Tanfield-Hall, his Lordfhips Seat in Yorkfhire.
In the fifth Plate is a Plan of the principal Floor of the fame Building; and another of
a kind of Monopteros Temple, with a couple of rooms adjoining to it, defigned by me for
Henry Willoughby of BirdlhallEfq. . . , „ - , . - i
In the fixth Plate is an Elevation of the principal Front of the lame i emple.
In the feventh Plate are the Plan and Elevation of a Doric Oaagon Temple, defigned
bv me fome years ago, for the Earl of Tilney, and propofed to be e^aed at Wanfted.
^ The eighth Plate exhibits the fame difpofition, decorated in a different manner.
In the ninth Plate are Defigns of a Corinthian Proftyle Temple
In the tenth Plate are the Plan and Elevation of aDefign, made by me for Sr. Thomas
kennedv to be ereaed at his Seat in Scotland. , nr r
In the eleventh Plate are the Plan and Elevation of a Maufoleum, to the Memory of
Mr. Pope, defigned by me. , r , c d ii j-
In the twelfth Plate are two Doors, defigned by Palladio. n a t;„- K,-
IN the thirteenth Plate is a Tufcan Gate imitated from one fmd to be defigned b)
Pnlladin which ferves as a back entrance to the public Garden at Vicenza.
In the fourteenth Plate is a Triumphal Arch, compofed by me, and executed under
my infpeaion at Wiltom g. j ^
Wst rS- "^^Xtjue Infcription was by mifiake. put into the Table, which
17 .*7 «f«. o- .h. .r
Richmond, for an Entrance to Privy-Garden.
Directions to the BINDER.
The PLATES Reprefenting
P Ord!f/p^! 7 Dorfc”oS*D™i^^ Regular Mouldings, &c. p. 3. Orders of the Antiencs, p. 8. Tufea:.
p 25. Compofite Order p 26 ComDofire ^ P’ Volutes, p, 24. Ionic Entablatures,
and Caryatides,-p. ad'InKrcolumniarinnc and Capitals, p. 28. Corinthian Order, p. 29. Pilafter Capitals, p. 31. Perlians
d«, p. 50.' CohLfupon cSirnrn >; without,Pedeftals, p. 46. Arches with Pedeftals, p. 48. Various forts of Arca-
Doors,.p. 65. Four Windows.- n 60 Nin/’«r ■ Src. p. 58. Balufters, p. 61. Gates and Piers, p 63.
Chimney-Pieces, p 70. Profilef for^nnnre x, P‘ 7 ’’ Windows, p. 72. Defigns for Chimney Pieces, p, 77. Lord Charlemont’s
ments for a Flat Cehme and for Soffits of A *1 0 '’'’a'nents for Flat Ceilings, and for the Compartments of Ceilings, 84 Enrich¬
ments for Circular Covfd Ceilings Arches.&c^er wh.ch.ri.t^-Plate of Compartments for Cove*d Ceilings 5 and then thatofOrna-
Or^/er of ihe Defigm at the End of the Book.
JlnfsS™ ” Ca",, ,.h. EWa.i„„ of Load Broca. C-
8th. Defign inferibed to J Hall Stevenfor S® 0 fo SS fofcrfvJt Willoughby's Temple. 7th. Lord Tilney's Temple.
Defign Inferibed to Sir Charles^BSIhim.'^arr.^izfo Deficrf n^k TKennedy’s Defign. 1 ith.
Mr. Ward. 14th. Lord Pembrokes Tri.imnhnl Ar,-k .-® rw.cJ?T.r. -i °i Wood» Ejq; 13th Defign Inferibed to the Honourable
the Duke of Richmond: - ^ anumpnai Arch. 15th. Defign Inferibed to Thomas Brand. Efq; 16th Defign Inferibed to his Grace
ERRATA;
33. for bard, r. bare. p. 79. J. 34. for ndche the Iralitn.^^nr .kip r^f “f^^e Back walls: ib. 1 .
r. Pietro, p. 84; 1 . 9 . Tor whether r. ckher. ^ ^ ^ Englilhman, p. 80.1. 40, for Pretro,
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