PREFACE.
diatcly and stri&ly united with the other sy items of Grecian art and sciencc; bahmo Ugantut
cadem. It is only pardonable in those who arc ignorant of the manisold researches architecture re-
quires, to look upon the orders of Vignola, or of ethers as persect, without giving themselves
the trouble to examine whence they were taken, or whether they have made a good choice of
the different parts which compose them? it would be perhaps molt usesul for the advancement of
architecture, that the ikilful architects in every country mould renew their endeavours to restore
the orders: their esiays would do honour to the times, and would be transmitted to posterity
wish applauic.
Several able artificers have conlidered the antiquities of Athens, as mere innovations; there
is no doubt but that after some inquiry and ressection, they will part with their prejudices; es-
peciallv if they have an opportunity of working after sorne well chosen designs; sor the great
neatness and truth with which the workmen of Great Britain and Ireland, above all others,
execute their several branches, can' never fail of doing justice to the molt elegant patterns; this
praise is due to these worthy members of the community, for who arc more so than those men,
who by their daily labour maintain themselves and samilies, leading an induitrious, sober and
quiet lise ; yet that vanity descrves some sort of censure, which so frequently puffs up a stone-
mason, a bricklayer or a carpenter to write themselves Architects; The hest hands in nil these
trades have a tolerable knack in drawing the parts and members of the orders, but are generally
very unhappy in the wbimsical application of them: some have ventured to plan buildings; Now
as often as this has happened, little has ever been said in favour of their invention or tastc; mosl
commonly they are only the less guilty accomplices with the prudent pcrsons who employ them,
and who, whatever may be their notions of beauty, have certainly an undoubted right over their
builders and buildings, and theresore in justice mult bear a (hare of the blame.
Amphora coep'tt,
Injiithi currents rota cur urceus exit ?
The arts which the professed architect mould have knowledge of, are in themselves scientific,
and of great scope ; how are these attainable, but by a very liberal education ? and then not with-
out the requiiite taste to imbibe them, nee ftudiumjine divite vend; things being so, each mechanic
(a rare genius excepted) mould content himself with being the complete mailer of his own branch;
therein he may acquire great fame, by any real improvement in his practice, that experience or
chance may offer, without aiming at those designs, which require in their whole and in each of
their parts, a more general knowledge, than ever lie had lcisurc, opportunity, or perhaps capaci-
ty to comprehend. Is it not then reasonable to infer, that the success of every structure mult al-
ways, depend upon the reciprocal assiitance of the artist, and of the artificers ?
----------AHcrhis Jic
Altera pofcit opctrt res & conjurat amice.
Having smiihed what relates to the delineation and explanation of the orders, wc pais onto
some general remarks, and cursory practical considerations concerning publick and private edi-
lices, and to give a descrintion often plans with their elevations, which concludes the volume.
And as in the introduction to the orders, we have given some Chart notices of the most celebrated
reitorers of architecture in Italy, it was judged not altogether improper to collect some bries
accounts of eminent Britissi architects; we have trauscribed what is susiicient sor our purposes,
partly from that valuable work Biographia Britannka; to these volumes we reser our readers for
many entertaining particulars, which we omit, relating to our architects and. to the hiitory of
their times : The transeriber hopes not to have given offence by the addition he has taken the
liberty to make of some right honourable names: it is a double advantage sor the arts to have
their protectors of the highest ranks, endued with equal degrees of knowledge and benevolence
in promoting their advancement; what efforts then will they not make ? when, bcsides the patro-
nage of our firit nobility, they arc known to partake in the ROYAL AU3PICE$ OF A
MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN, THE FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY,
Seven ornamental plates, for head and tail-pieces, are interspersed throughout these meets:
with respect to the last ten architectural plates, if the buildings had been traced srom larger
scales, and siniihed in a higher manner, it would have conlidcrably advanced the price, without
an adequate advantage to the intelligent readers; wherever any thing may appear doubtsul in tlie
smallcr members, it can easily be decided by referring to the parts at large in the preceding orders,
CANTERBURY, XXX. NOVEMBER. MDCCLXTO,

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