_The Figures inserted here are those only which are chiefly necessary to
the understanding of_ Vitruvius, _that is to say, those which serve for
the comprehending the Rules that Architecture gives for Buildings, now
in use. The Figures of other things, of which_ Vitruvius _treats, are
omitted, it being enough to give One only, to serve as an Example of
each kind_, viz. _one for all Temples, one for all Theatres, and one for
all Machines._
THE EXPLICATION Of the FIRST TABLE.
This Table contains the seven several sorts of Masonry; A is the first,
which was called _Reticulatum_, because it was like the Mashes of Nets;
BB is the second, it's called _Insertum_, that is to say, _bound
Masonry_, because the Stones are one bound within another, every one
being bound with four, two below, and two above: CC is the third sort,
which was particular to the _Greeks_; it may be called double binding,
for it's not only of Stones of the same course, but of two courses III.
D is the fourth, called _Isodomum_, because the Beds or Lays are equal
in height. E is the fifth, called _Pseudisodomum_, because they are of
an equal heighth. FF, GG, H is the sixth, called _Emplecton_, because it
was filled up any way in the middle. FF are the Stones which make the
Courses. K is the seventh, which may be called _Compound_, because its
Courses are of hewn Stone, and the middle filled up with Rubbish; and
these Courses are fasten'd together with Cramp-irons.
This Table refers to _pag._ 47.
[Illustration: _Plate I._]
THE EXPLICATION Of the SECOND TABLE.
This Table contains the five sorts of Edifices: AA is the _Pycnostyle_;
that is to say, where the Pillars are very close, the Intercolumniation
being but of one Diameter, and a half of the Column: BB is the
_Systyle_, _viz._ where the Pillars have two Diameters of
Intercolumniation: CC is the _Diastyle_, _viz._ where the Pillars are at
that distance, that they have for the Intercolumniation three Diameters:
DD is the _Areostyle_, where the Pillars are far asunder. There is no
certain Proportion; we have given in this Figure four Diameters of
Intercolumniation, it may have more: The fifth sort called _Eustyle_, is
in the third Table.
This Table refers to _pag._ 80.
[Illustration: _Plate. II._]
THE EXPLICATION Of the THIRD TABLE.
This Table contains the Plan and Elevation of the fifth sort of
Edifices, called _Eustyle_, _viz._ where the Pillars are distant one
from another by more convenient Proportion: Its Intercolumniations have
all two Diameters and a quarter, except the Intercolumniations in the
middle of the _Face_ before and behind, which have three Diameters.
This plan shews the different parts of the ancient Temples: AA, AA, are
the Isles or Wings which are _Portico's_, having a rang of Pillars on
the one side, and the Wall of the Temple on the other. B is the part
called the _Pronaos_ or Porch. C is the part called _Posticum_, _viz._
the hinder part of the Temple. D is that Part called _Cella_, or the
Nave or Body of the Temple.
This Table relates to _p._ 81, & 117.
[Illustration: _Plate III_]
THE EXPLICATION Of the FOURTH TABLE.
This Table contains the Plan and perspective Elevation of a Temple,
called _Hexastyle_ and _Pseudodyptere_, _viz._ Which has six Columns in
the _Faces_, before and behind, and which has simple _Portico's_, but
which are as large as the two _Portico's_ of the Temples which have them
double. This Plan and this Elevation may serve for other Temples, which
as to what concerns the essential parts explained in the precedent
Table, are like to this here, as are the _Periptere_, the _Diptere_, and
the _Hypethre_, which only differ in the number of Columns, or such-like
circumstances.
[Illustration: _Plate IV._]
THE EXPLICATION Of the FIFTH TABLE.
This contains the Proportions of the _Tuscan_ Order. AA is the Base of
the Column, which has for its height the first Semidiameter of the
Column: It's divided into two equal parts; that below is for the Plinth,
marked I; that above, marked K, is for the _Thorus_, and for the _Conge_
or _Apophygis_. BB is the Capital, which height is equal to its Base:
It's divided into three; the first marked L, is for the Gorge, with the
Conge and the Astragal; the second, marked M, is for the _Echinus_ or
_quarter-round_; the third, marked N, is for the _Plinthus_ or _Abacus_,
called by the French _Tallor_. C is one of the _Faces_ of the _Sabliers_
which serve instead of an Architrave. EE is the under part of the
_Sabliers_, which answers to the Diameter on the top of the Column,
marked D. F is a Tenon shaped like a Swallows Tayl, which joyns the two
_Sabliers_ together. G is the little Wall which serves for a Frize. H is
the Cornice.
This Table relates to _pag._ 93.
[Illustration: _Plate V._]
THE EXPLICATION Of the SIXTH TABLE.
This contains the Proportion of the _Dorick_ Order; AB is the top of the
Shaft of the Column; this top shews the Plan of the two sorts of
Channelling or Fluting, which are particular to the _Dorick_ Order. The
one half has Channelling or Fluting that is not hollowed, and make only
_Flat Faces_ or _Pans_. B is the other half, which has Channelings a
little hollowed, _viz._ one quarter of the Circle: They are formed by
the help of a Square C, whose sides are equal to every one of the Pans.
D E F is the Capital divided into three equal parts. D is for the Gorge;
E is for the Echinus, and for the Anulets or Rings; F is for the Abacus;
G is the Architrave; H is the Triglyph; I is the Metop; K is the
Demi-metop; L is the Cornice; M are the six pendant Drops which are
under the Triglyph; N, O are the Pendant Drops which are in the
Platfond of the Cornice.
This relates to _pag._ 96.
[Illustration: _Plate VI._]
THE EXPLICATION Of the SEVENTH TABLE.
This contains the Proportions of the _Jonick_ Order and the _Attick_
Base: A is the Plinth of the _Attick_ Base, which is the third part of
the whole Base, of which the upper part is the fourth part of what
remains after the Plinth is taken; the inferiour part is half of what
remains, and the other half is the _Scotia_. C D is the Plinth of the
Jonick Base, which is the third part of the height of the whole Base. E
is the Thorus which contains three parts of seven, into which is divided
what remains, the other four being for the two _Scotia's_, and the two
Astragals, which are betwixt the Thorns and the Plinth. F is the
Capital, whose Proportion is explained in the eighth Table. G, H, I, K
is the Architrave, which has four parts, _viz._ the Face marked G; the
second marked H; the third marked I, and the _Cymatium_ or _Simaise_,
marked K; L is the Frise. M, N, O, P, Q is the Cornice. M is the first
_Cymatium_; N is the Dentil; O is the second _Cymatium_; P is the Crown
with its little _Cymatium_ or _Simaise_.
This Table relates to _pag._ 101.
[Illustration: _Plate VII_]
The EXPLICATION Of the EIGHTH TABLE.
This contains the Proportions of the Ionick Capital, of which only half
is seen here: A B is the half of the breadth of the Abacus, which is
regulated according to the breadth of the bottom of the Column, of which
one half is marked B 18; for the bottom of the Column being divided into
18, 19 are allowed to the Abacus: A C is the _Retreat_ which must be
made of the Corner A, of the Abacus inwardly, to draw the Line C D,
which must regulate the _Eye_ of the _Volute_ over which it must cross
as it passes. To make this _Retreat_ we must take one part and a half of
twelve, into which is divided the height or thickness, E F, of the whole
Capital, which height is equal to half the breadth of the Abacus. This
height, marked C D, is divided into nine parts and a half, of which one
and a half is given to the _Abacus_, and four and a half from the Abacus
to the middle of the _Eye_, which is traversed by the line G H; the
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, mark the four Centers of the first four quarters of
the Volute; the four second quarters, and the four third (for the
Volutte has twelve) are taken in the Diagonal 1, 3, and 2, 4. H, I, is
the Astragal at the top of the Pillar which answers the _Eye_ of the
Volute. K K is the Egg or _Echinus_; L is the Axis of the Volutes; M M
is the ceinture of the lateral part of the Volutes. This relates to
_pag._ 103.
[Illustration: _Plate VIII._]
THE EXPLICATION Of the NINTH TABLE.
This contains the Proportions of the _Corinthian_ Capital, which makes
all the distinction betwixt _Jonick_ and the _Corinthian Order_, all
other Members, according to _Vitruvius_, being the same. A is the
_Corinthian_ Capital, which has for its height only the Diameter of the
bottom of the Column; B is the Capital of the Pantheon, which is higher
by a seventh part, _viz._ the thickness of the Abacus; C D is the height
of the Capital divided into seven, of which the Abacus has one, the
Voluta's and Foliages and Stalks two, the Foliage in the Range above
two, and that in the Range below two. To have the breadth of the Abacus,
we must give to its Diagonal E F the double of its height C D. To have
the greatness and just Proportion of its bending H, we must divide the
breadth of the Abacus E G into nine parts, and give it one.
At the bottom of this Table is represented the Herb _Branbursine_, which
grows round about the Basket, which is covered with a Tile, from which
_Vitruvius_ says the Sculptor _Callimachus_ took the first Model of the
_Corinthian_ Capital.
This Table relates to _p._ 108.
[Illustration: _Plate IX._]