DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5596#0314
APPENDIX.
281
In the foregoing letter it will be seen that Mr. Hittorff takes
as granted that the arch within the porticos of temples repre-
sented on Koman coins is indicative of arched or vaulted ceilings,
though he forms a different deduction from the fact. Mr. Hittorff's
hypothesis is entitled to consideration on a subject where the
arguments on both sides are necessarily hypothetical: still it must
be remembered that the coin, though executed by Eoman artists,
was struck at Samos, and by artists who had the temple of Juno
before their eyes. For the reasons stated in his letter, Mr. Hit-
torff has not had time to take into his regard the arguments
based upon the height of the statue in the Parthenon, the low
height to which the known sizes of the columns could possibly
be made to extend, and the impossibility of a stone trabeated
ceiling. It is therefore only out of kind compliance with my
request that this eminent French architect and antiquary has
offered his present observations; and we may look forward with
interest to the expected work of this accomplished writer on
ancient art.
" Berlin, 7 Milrz, 1800.
" Liebee Heue Falkenee,
" Ihrem Wunsche gemass antworte ich sogleich in Betreft'
der Parthenonssache. Verzeihen Sie mir, wenn ich dieselbe in
nieiner neulichen Zuschrift nicht beriihrte ; Hire Schrift war mir
nicht zur Hand, da ich sie sogleich unter unsem Architecten
verbreitete, und von denselben nicht wieder erhielt. Die Frage
liber "Wolbung des Parthenon iibersteigt meine eigene Compe-
tenz; um so mehr habe ich in unserer Arehiiologischen Gesell-
schaft dieselbe angeregt. Ich kann Ihnen nicht verhehlen dass
alle anwesenden Architecten, nauientlich die Herrn Boetticher,
Strack, Lohde, und Adler, gegen Hire neue Ansicht sich striiu-
ben, und Ihre Ausfiilirung einer so gewagten Thesis, wie die
Annahme eines Holzgewolbes im Parthenon ist, erst abwarten
wollen, bevor sie sich Ihnen irgendwie beizustimmen ent-
schliessen. Kommen Sie aber zu ana, so sollen Sie nichts desto
weniger mit uns zufrieden sein ; unsere Gesellschaft versamnielt
2 0
281
In the foregoing letter it will be seen that Mr. Hittorff takes
as granted that the arch within the porticos of temples repre-
sented on Koman coins is indicative of arched or vaulted ceilings,
though he forms a different deduction from the fact. Mr. Hittorff's
hypothesis is entitled to consideration on a subject where the
arguments on both sides are necessarily hypothetical: still it must
be remembered that the coin, though executed by Eoman artists,
was struck at Samos, and by artists who had the temple of Juno
before their eyes. For the reasons stated in his letter, Mr. Hit-
torff has not had time to take into his regard the arguments
based upon the height of the statue in the Parthenon, the low
height to which the known sizes of the columns could possibly
be made to extend, and the impossibility of a stone trabeated
ceiling. It is therefore only out of kind compliance with my
request that this eminent French architect and antiquary has
offered his present observations; and we may look forward with
interest to the expected work of this accomplished writer on
ancient art.
" Berlin, 7 Milrz, 1800.
" Liebee Heue Falkenee,
" Ihrem Wunsche gemass antworte ich sogleich in Betreft'
der Parthenonssache. Verzeihen Sie mir, wenn ich dieselbe in
nieiner neulichen Zuschrift nicht beriihrte ; Hire Schrift war mir
nicht zur Hand, da ich sie sogleich unter unsem Architecten
verbreitete, und von denselben nicht wieder erhielt. Die Frage
liber "Wolbung des Parthenon iibersteigt meine eigene Compe-
tenz; um so mehr habe ich in unserer Arehiiologischen Gesell-
schaft dieselbe angeregt. Ich kann Ihnen nicht verhehlen dass
alle anwesenden Architecten, nauientlich die Herrn Boetticher,
Strack, Lohde, und Adler, gegen Hire neue Ansicht sich striiu-
ben, und Ihre Ausfiilirung einer so gewagten Thesis, wie die
Annahme eines Holzgewolbes im Parthenon ist, erst abwarten
wollen, bevor sie sich Ihnen irgendwie beizustimmen ent-
schliessen. Kommen Sie aber zu ana, so sollen Sie nichts desto
weniger mit uns zufrieden sein ; unsere Gesellschaft versamnielt
2 0