confine my felf to a few Ioofe remarks, on the prototypes', or
firft models of architecture', as far as it is an art-both of taffe
and convenience.
:u :S k c
' T hat the Grecian Architecture- comprizes all that is
excellent in the art, I cannot helpconfidering as aifloCfeine,
which is in itfelf as erroneous and fervile,- as in its confequen-
ces it is deftmCtive of every hope-'of improvement. Architecture
undoubtedly flhould, and -muft, be adapted ..to all die
climates and countries which mankind inhabit, and is va-
rioufly, more than any other art, influenced and modified By
the nature of-the climate and materials, as well as by the habits
and purfuits of the inhabitants.
J have not read Father Ladola’s famous differtation on
the abfurdity of the mifplaced and unprincipled imitation of
Greek architecture j nor am I in the leaft prejudiced againft
its very eminent beauties and perfections : but why Ihould we
admire it in an fexclufivte manner; o'r, blind to the majefly,
boldnefs, and magnificence of the Egyptian, Hindoo, Moorifli,
and Gothic, as admirable wonders of architecture, unmercifully
blame and defpife them, becaufe they are more-various
in their forms, and not reducible to the precife rules of the
Greek hut, prototype, and column ? or becaufe in fmaller
parts, perhaps accidentally fimilar, their proportions are different
from thofe to which we are become familiar by habit.
A llowing, -what muft^he'-allowed',, that the 'Greek columns,'
as they are drawn«-ail'd ajj'pliéd b f gênjhs^aïefthe; mbit'
beautiful ftone repïefentations -ofethe ^pdërlpfop’s*c* fupports
of'their origirfal hut in’their "general' fohnsV''amt1
each fubordinate,part, they are' th&^ëJplü s '>^:'öf;fimpHCity ‘
ftreno-th, and elegance; Ihall we precipitately.determine; that
the whole excellence of architecture depends} oil .. thehebluriin
alone, or forget that’, its. grea^'effeCb «depen'd^ïiathér %bhtSthè
great» maffes, and forms, and upon the fymmetry, ftrength*-
and conveniency?
Howevèr partial I mult feel, from habit and education, to
the Greeks, whofe freehand unfetterecigenius, ih a long feriés'
of ages,": improved the orginal hut öf '&Woody /cqMtry "into
the'incómparable beauties b f a marble temple orpÜafce'j yet I
freely avow that this by ©cf1 means, prevents*' my entertaining
a fimilar partiality for countries, where different models have
been brought to an equal perfection. The forma of-the ‘firft
habitations have differed, as -the refpeCtive’’countries, climates,
and manners of the builders, and as the nature, abundance,
or fcantinefs of materials havé directed..
C averns, deep valliesy lhaggy Oyeir-hanging rocks, hollow
trees, and the thick impenetrable 'foliage' of the foreft,
have been equally the natural retreat and occafional .habitation
of the wild beafts, and of men whom different accidents have
left unacquainted with the comforts of fociety, expofed to