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.))

72 KUDIMENTS OF

taining ; perhaps not without its uses : for,
from the numerous, studied, and multi-
plied conveniences of their Villas, some
new ideas of plan and distribution may
arise; the comforts and conveniences of
life are so valuable, that they should be
sought from every source.

The Greeks and Romans were particu-
larly solicitous to keep the body in health
by constant and strong exercise; to this
purpose, it was necessary they should have
spacious covered places, that in bad wea-
ther they might not be obstructed in their
diversions, or games ; which tended as well
to the health and strength of the body, as
to that of the mind. Under this impres-
sion, it is not to be wondered, their gar-
dens, or pleasure grounds, were extensive
and possessed all those conveniences which
conduced so much to health and delight,
by freely enjoying the fresh air in the Ges-
tatio, or the Xystus.

To avoid anticipating conjecture, I shall
proceed to the subject in question, begin-
ning with a description of the houses of the
Greeks, next those of the Romans, and
finishing with their villas.