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.))

80 RUDIMENTS OF

of the equality of the light, may remain
unchanged.

The better to convey an adequate idea
of the extent, accommodation, and gran-
deur of the Villas of the Romans, I shall
add Pliny's (the consul) description of his
Villa at Laurentinum. It may be proper
to observe, that this Villa was considered
as on a small scale.

After describing the route, the views on
the road, &c. he adds, my Villa is large
enough to afford a convenient, though not
sumptuous reception for my friends. The
part which first presents itself is the atrium,
(court yard) plain, but not mean; then
the portico, in form of the letter O, which
surrounds a .small, but pleasant area; this
is an excellent retreat in bad weather,
being sheltered by glazed windoMrs, but
more by the projection of the roof. Be-
yond the portico is a pleasant cavcedium,
(open court) passing which, is a handsome
triclinium, which advances upon the shore,
so that it is gently washed by the waves,
when the south-west wind blows. On
every side are folding doors, or windows
as large, so that from the sides and the