Chapter X. Of the method observed by the antients in erecting stone edifices

AS it sometimes happens that an edifice is either to be in part or entirely built with marble or with large pieces of other stone, it seems reasonable that I should in this place mention what method the antients observed on such occasions; because it appears in their works, such exact care was taken in the joining of their stones, that the junctures in many places are searce to be discerned, to which every one ought to be very attentive, who, besides beauty, desires the solidity and duration of the fabrick.

But as far as I could ever comprehend, they first wrought and squared those sides of the stones that were to be laid upon one another, leaving the other sides rough, and thus employ’d them in the building: Tor as the edges were then thicker and stronger, they could the more conveniently manage and move them backwards and forwards, until they were placed and well united together, with lets danger of breaking them than if all the sides had been squared and polished, which would have made them too thin, and consequently more apt to be spoiled.

Axe in this manner they built rough or rustick edifices; and when thus finished, they then polished all those sides ‘of the stones that were exposed to view, As the roses between pally: pol A the modilions, and the other ornaments carved in the cornice, could not however be so conveniently made after the stones were six’d, these were work'd whilst they lay upon the ground. This is manifest by the many stones found unwrought and unpolithed in a great many antient buildings.

The arch near the old castle in Verona, and all the other arches and antient edifices in that place, are made after the same manner; which is very perceptible to any one that will we notice of the marks the tools have made upon the stones, which plainly shew how they were wrought. ‘The Trajan column in Rome and the Antonine were made in this manner; it would have been otherwise impossible to fix the stones so exactly as to make the Joints meet so close together athwart the heads and other parts of the figures. The same may also be said of the other arches that are seen there,

When the antients had any very large fabrick to build, such as the Arena in Iron, the amphitheatre of Pola, or any other of that kind, to save time and expence, they only wrought the imposts of the arches, the capitals and cornices, leaving all the rest rustick, having a regard only to the beautiful form of the whole edifice.

But in temples, and other structures that require more delicacy, they were not sparing of their labour in working of them; but smoothed and polished, even to the very flutes of the columns, with the utmost care and accuracy.

But it is my opinion, that brick walls ought never to be made rustick; nor the mantles of chimneys, which require to be wrought very neat: For, besides being there misapplied, it would follow, that a work, which naturally ought to be one entire piece, would appear to be divided into several parts, But, according to the largeness and quality of the building, it may either be made rustick or very neat; for what the antients judiciously practised (being thereto compelled by the largeness of their structures) must not be imitated by us in buildings in which neatness is particularly required,