Rudiments of ancient architecture, containing an historical account of the five orders, with their proportions, and examples of each from antiques also, extracts from Vitruvius, Pliny, &c. relative to the buildings of the ancients (London, 1810 (4. Aufl.))

PREFACE.

Custom has established the neces-
sity of a preface, which may also
be considered as a privilege, authors
enjoying therein liberty to explain,
and plead for their labours. Much
pleading I am not qualified for, nor
perhaps entitled to; I therefore
submit to the candor of those, who,
by the purchase and perusal of this
work, have some claim to pass
judgment upon it: the great dif-
ference between a perfect work
and a good intent, encourages me
to explain.

Architecture, as a liberal science,
and considered as connected with
the study of antiquities, is a subject
on which every person of taste and
reading, at some time or other, has