The first Booke of Architecture made by Sebastian Serly entreating of Geometrie Translated out of Jtalian into Dutch and out of Dutch into English LONDON Printed for Robert Peake and are to be sold at his shop neere Holborne conduit next to the Sunne Tauerne ANNO DOM. 1611. TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTIE PRINCE HENRY Prince of VVales SJR NO vaine ambition of mine owne Desire much lesse presumption of my none Desert incited me to present this Volume to your Princely view but rather the gracious Countenance which euen from your Childehood you haue euer daigned to all good endeauours invited Mee also after so many others to offer at the high-Altar of your Highnesse fauour this new-Naturalized VVorke of a learned Stranger Not with pretence of Profit to your Highnesse who want not more exquisite Tutors in all excellent Sciences but vnder the Patronage of your powerfull Name to benefite the Publicke and conuay vnto my Countrymen especially Architects and Artificers of all sorts these Necessary Certaine and most ready Helps of Geometrie The ignorance and want whereof in times past in most parts of this Kingdome hath left vs many lame VVorkes with shame of many VVorkemen which for the future the Knowledge and vse of these Instructions shall happily preuent if the euent but answere in any measure to that Hope of mine which alone both induced this Desire and produced this Designe VVherein I must confesse my part but small sauing my great aduenture in the Charge and my great Good-will to doe Good All which together with my best Seruices I humbly prostrate at your Princely feete as beseemes Your Highnesse most humble Seruant Robert Peake To the Louers of Architecture OVr learned Author Sebastian Serly hauing great foresight to shew and explaine the common rules of Architecture did first publish his Foâ—râ—h Booke entreating of Architecture and after his Third Booke declaring excellent Antiquities Fearing that if hee had begunne with Geometrie and Perspectiue common workmen would haue thought that the two sornter although small had not beene so needefull to studie and practise as the other Which friendly Reader considered hindered mee long either from Translating or Publishing the two former being perswaded by sundry friends and workemen to haue desisted my purpose both from translating or publishing The which J had surely effected if I had beene ouer-ruled by their requests and perswasions alleadging strong reasons that the common Workemen of our time little regarded or esteemed to Worke with right Simmetrie the which is confused and erronious in the iudgement of the Learned Architect if they will follow the Order of Antiquities hereafter ensuing Wherefore least my good meaning together with my Labour in Translating and Publishing should not be regarded and esteemed as worthie considering it not onely tendeth to the great profit of the Architect or Workeman but also generally to all other Artificers of our Nation I aduise all generally not to deceiue themselues nor to be selfe-conceited in their owne workes but well vnderstand this my labour tending to common good and be perswaded that who so shall follow these rules hereafter set downe shall not onely haue his Worke well esteemed of the common people but also generally commended and applauded of all workemen and men of iudgement Vale. ¶ The first Booke of Architecture made by Sebastian Serly entreating of Geometrie ¶ The first Chapter HOw needfull and necessary the most secret Art of Geometrie is for euery Artificer and Workeman as those that for a long time haue studied and wrought without the same can sufficiently witnesse who since that time haue attained vnto any knowledge of the said Arte doe not onely laugh and smile at their owne former simplicities but in trueth may very well acknowledge that all whatsoeuer had bene formerly done by them was not worth the looking on Seeing then the learning of Architecture comprehendeth in it many notable Artes it is necessary that the Architector or workeman should first or at the least if he cannot attaine vnto any more know so much thereof as that hee may vnderstand the principles of Geometrie that he may not be accompted amongst the number of stone-spoilers who beare the name of workmen and scarce know how to make an answere what a Point Line Plaine or Body is and much lesse can tell what harmonie or correspondencie meaneth but following after their owne minde or other blinde conductors that haue vsed to worke without rule or reason they make bad worke which is the cause of much vncut or vneuen workemanship which is found in many places Therfore seeing that Geometrie is the first degree of all good Art to the end I may shew the Architector so much thereof as that he may thereby be able with good skill to giue some reason of his worke Touching the speculations of Euclides and other Authors that haue written of Geometrie I will leaue them and onely take some flowers out of their Garden that therewith by the shortest way that I can I may entreat of diuers cutting through of Lines with some demonstrations meaning so plainely and openly to set downe and declare the same both in writing and in figures that euery man may both conceiue and vnderstand them aduertizing the Reader not to proceed to know the second figure before he hath well vnderstood and found out the first and so still proceeding hee shall at last attaine vnto his desire A Poynt FIRST you must vnderstand that a poynt is a priche made with a Pen or Compasse which can not bee deuided into any parts because it conteineth neither length nor bredth in it A Line A Line is a right consecutiue imagination in length beginning at a poynt and endeth also at a point but it hath no bredth Parable When two Lines are set or placed of a little wydenesse one from the other those two lines according to the Latine phrase are called Parable and by some men they are named Equidistances Superficies When those two Equidistances aforesayd are at each end closed together by another Line it is then called a Superficies and in like sort all spaces in what manner soeuer they are closed and shut vp are called Superficies or plainnes Perpendicular Straight corners When there is a straight vpright Line placed in the middle of a crosse straight line then it is called a Perpendicular or Catheta Line and the ends of the crosse or straight Line on both sides of the Perpendicular are called Straight corners Obtusus Acutus When a leaning or straight Line is placed vpon a straight Line without Compasse or equalitie as much as the same Line bendeth so much shall the corner of the straight Line be narrower below and the other so much broader then a right or euen corner and the straight corner in Latine is called Acutus which signifieth sharpe and the wider corner Obtusus which signifieth dull Piramidal A corner or point called Piramidal and also Acutus in Latine is when two euen long straight
you will make such a doore that wâ—â—l be couerâ—d ouer with Copper Yron or any Mettal you see the surest way here in the side in the figures A. and B. for wood neuâ—r waxeth longer but remayneth still in the same forme which is referred to the workeman to make them thicke or â—hinne as hee will according to the waight that they shall beare and you may also fill the spaces of the same wood And for that all the ancient doores or goings through are commonly fourthâ—â—are onely those of gates of Towâ—es or tryumphant Arches which are roost neuerthelesse in our dayes many doâ—â—â— are made round aboue peraduenture for more strength and also for that in some cases they become the houses well whereof I haue shewed a figure and 〈◊〉 that in trueth a man cannot conceaue all things for many accidents happen to a workeman at such time when he is to deuise souâ— new worke Of Ornaments of Pictures within and without the houses The eleuenth Chapter THat I may not leaue out any kinds of Ornaments whereof I giue not some rule for instruction as well in Pictures as other things I say that the workeman ought not onely to take care of the Ornaments of stone or marble but also of the Paynters worke to let out the walles withall and it is requisite that he should prescribe an order therein as Surueyor of all the worke for this cause that some Paynters haue beene workemen good inough touching the handling of their worke but for the rest of so little vnderstanding that desiring to shew their skill in the placing of the colours haue disgraced and sometime spoyled a Story of a house for want of consideration how to place the Pictures in the same Therefore if they haue a Forefront or Facie of a house to paynt it is certayne there is no opennesse to be left where ayre or lantshap is to be made for those breake the building and of a thing that is massy and close they transforme it into an open weake forme like a ruinous and vnperfit building Also there should be no personages nor beasts coloured vnlesse it were to trim and decke doores wherein there are mens personages but if the owner of the house or the Paynter desire colours that the worke may not be broken nor spoyled a man may couer a hackled wall ouer with cloth and therein paynt what he will and also after the maner of tryumphs a man may hang on the wall Garlands and strings of Leaues and Fruits Flowers c. and also Shields Trophees and such things as are to be stirred but if you will paynt the walles with firme matter then you may fayne things of marble or other stones cutting therein what you will you may also beautifie some figures in Niches with metall and so the worke will remayne firme worthy commendation of all those that know good worke from bad And the Author rehearseth diuers excellent workemen whome for breuitie sake I will omit that onely vsed to paynt nothing else but white and blacke in houses and yet so excellently well that it made men wonder to behold them A man may also with good reason make and set forth certayne openings in walles of lodgings round about the Courts and make ayre lantshaps houses figures beasts and such like things as hee will in colours Also if a man hath Chambers Halles or other places about the ground within to paynt and set forth then a Paynter in maner of Architecture may make openings to see through them as the place is for aboue the sight a man must make nothing but ayre or skyes roofes high hilles and the vpper part of houses and if you place figures also aboue the sight a man must see vnder them and not the ground whereon they stand And if the Paynter will make a Hall or any other or further roome perspectiuely he may ouer the going in with order of Architecture make it to shew further then in effect it is And this Balthazar a man excellently well learned in Architecture did in beautifying the Hall of Augustin Guyse a Marchant of Rome where in that fort he set out some Columnes and other Architecture to that purpose so that Peter Aretin a man also skilfull in Paynting and in Poesie sayd that there had not beene a perfiter Paynter then he in that house although there is worke also in it of Raphaels owne doing And when the walles are paynted and if you will haue the roofe also done then follow the steps of Antiquitie making things that are called Grootes which for that you may make them as you will shew well therein as Leaues Flowers Beasts Birds and other mixed matter If a man maketh any clothes or apparell of figures or which are made fast on them therein a man may doe as he will But if a Paynter will make any figures according to the life in a roofe of a house then he must be very skilfull and much exercised in Perspectiue worke and very iudicious to chuse such things as are fittest for the place and rather heauenly flying things then carthly things with such Arte that he must shorten the figures so although they bee monstrous that when men stand a conuenient distance off from them they may resemble the life Which thing is excellently well made in Lâ—rette Mantua and other places in Italy by diuers workemen yet skilfull workemen in our time haue shunned such shortening for that in truth it is not so pleasing to the eyes of the common sort of people Therefore Raphael Durbiâ— whom I will alwayes name Diuine for that he neuer had his fellow I say no more in this thing as men iudged of him when he was to paynt the roofe of Augustin Guyse his Gallery shunned shortening as much as he could for when he came to the highest part of the roofe and there meant to make the banquet of the gods heauenly things and such as serued to the purpose for a roofe taking away the harshnesse of shortenings set forth a cloth of azure colour made fast to the strings or Garlands as if it had beene a thing to bee stird and therein made the banquet so seemely and so workemanlike that the Gallery was rather esteemed for a preparation to a tryumph then a playne paynting made vpon a wall Therefore the workeman that ought not to be vnskilfull in Perspectiue worke should not indure as being Surueyor ouer all the workemen in the building that any thing should bee made therein without his counsell and aduice Of flat Roofes and the Ornaments thereof The twelfth Chapter ALthough in the Netherlands they vse not to decke the Chambers in the Roofes with woodden worke neuertheles when a house without is made wholy after the old maner it were vnfit that the Roofe should not be agreeable as also the Bedsteeds Bankes c. And which is more I would say that each place should be stuffed and suted within with things sitting to that which it
Capitals on the one side giue inward and on the other side beareth out which you must well remember that you may first bee well instructed herein touching that which you will make For it is true that the Theoricke consisteth in the vnderstanding but experience is gotten by practise and right vse or handling Therefore tâ—e most notable Paynter Leonardus Vinci was neuer pleased nor satisfied with any thing that he made bringing but litle worke to perfection saying the cause thereof was that his hand could not effect the vnderstanding of his mind And for me part 〈◊〉 I should do as he did I should not neither would I suffer any of my works to come forth for to say the truth whatsoeuer I make or wryte it pleaseth me not but as I sayd in the beginning of my worke that I had rather exercise in worke that small talent which it hath pleased God to bestow vpoÌ„ me then suffer it to lye and rot vnder the earth without any fruit and although I shall not please thereby such as are curious to set downe the ground and perfection of al things yet at least I shall helpe yong beginners that know little or nothing thereof which hath alwayes beene my intent FOr that as I sayd before of Proiecture in Prospectiue worke it would bee great labour and much worke to finde all the terminations of the parts or members and specially because they doe alwayes waxe greater as they come further outward as well those which we behold from beneath vpwards as thoâ—e that wee behold from aboue downewards yet I haue not spared to make this Figure and to forme and proportion it with all the members and parts thereof that you may the better vnderstand it In the first Figure but one next to this I haue shewed how you shall finde the terminations of the points of the Proiecture which are made plaine without any members the easilyer to conceaue how things waxe bigger when they come further outwards But now I thinke that men vnderstand it well I will shew the meanes and manner how to find the inlardging of all the members particularly by themselues euery one according to their greatnesse or smalnes of their Proiecture And first you must frame this Base with all the members and with the right Proiecture thereof to bee without any shorteâ—ing before yet you must draw it lightly with a piece of Lead or some other thing as it is shewed vnto you here with pricks then in the ground or foot of the Pillar you must draw the two Diagonall lines long inough out and thereby as I sayd before you shall find the diminishing and the increasing of the particuler parts of the crests of the said Base whereas the vndermost line or foote of the crests of the Base beare much more broader and longer then those that are marked with the prickes then at each corner of the Creast of the Base you must draw an vpright line almost as high as the first creast of the Base although I haue done it but vpon the vttermost poynt not to comber the worke within then you must draw the vppermost corners of the first Creast with prickes also toward the Horison which downewards will touch against the two vpright lines and there shall be the terminations to close or shut vp the second great Creast with a full blacke line then draw another blacke line from the innermost poynt of the Creast vpwards to the Horison and there the shortening Creast shall be closed And as this Creast or Plinthus is closed and drawen on all sides with blacke lines so you must doo with all the other lines of the Base for when from the vppermost corner of the first marked Base you draw a helding line to the innermost corner of the greatest Creast with the blacke lines by it you shall lightly find the terminations of all the parts or members drawing the corners of the first Base towards the Horison And when you haue formed all the innermost corners of the Bases by the Horisentall line you may easily doe the second and by the Paralel lines the vttermost of all although by the lines of the distances you may bring the said corners somewhat neerer as you may soe by the Diagonall lines But at this time I will not speake of that difficult or hard worke for he that hath any vnderstanding herein may herewith helpe himselfe That which is here sayd of the Bases you must also vnderstand of the Cornices onely that euery thing is contrary and where you set Perpendicular lines below which cut through the Horisentall or Radiall lines so you must also fall aboue the Lead lines or Catheten vpon the Horisentall lines as you may better sée it and learne it in the Figure then it can be expressed by words and you must not be afraid or abashed although at first you cannot conceaue it for that by practising you shall in time finde it for it is not sayd that a man shall or can learne all things at once in one day by this Cornice you may make all Cornices bee they higher or lower harder or easier alwayes drawing euery member and part towards the Horison as it should be done ALthough there are diuers manners wayes to place Columnes one behind the other standing vpon one ground in Perspectiue wise thereby to make Portals Galleries and other things yet this hereunto annexed is the easiest First you must make a Pauement with a quantitie of foure cornerd Quadrants as it is also shewed in the beginning of this Booke which may be of such bredth as you will Say that these foure square stones are two foote broad which shall be the thickenesse of a Pillar betwéene the two first Pillars beneath in the bredth there shall be eyght square stones and the height of the Pillars made of what quantitie you will and they being raised toward the Horison then you must draw two seuerall lines ouer both the Pillars and then out of the middle of the first line you must make two halfe Circles aboue vpon the flat side before and deuide them in as many parts as you will which parts shall be drawne to the Center of the halfe Circle standing in the vppermost line then out of the middle of the two seuerall lines you must draw the lesse halfe Circle and all terminations of the flat Arch being drawne to the Horison then the first Arch or Gate is made the other two Pillars vpwards drawne to the Horison then the first Arch or Gate is made the other two Pillars vpwards shall also stand eyght Quadrants distant from the first Pillars which will make a foure corned place on all sides containing 64. square stones and you must doe with this gate as you did with the first onely when they are all of one wydenesse as these are you néed not denide the Arches againe for the Horisentall lines of the stones of the first Arch will shew you the terminations of all the
must haue certaine Figures or formes ready of such greatnes as the place where they must stand will afford them to be which must be made of passe board cut out round and paynted signifiing such things as you will which Figures must leane against a rule or lath of wood crosse ouer the Scene where any gate doore or way is made and there some one or other behind the doore must make the. Figures passe along sometime in forme of Musitions with instruments and some like singers and behind the Scene some must play on vpon certaine instruments and sing also sometime you must make a number of foote men and horsemen going about with Trumpets Phifes and Drummes at which time you must play with Drumbes Trumpets and Phifes c. very softly behind which will kéepe the peoples eyes occupied and content them well If it be requisite to make a Planet or any other thing to passe along in the Ayre it must bee framed and cut out of paste-board then in the hindermost and backe part of the houses of the Scene there must be a piece of wire drawne aboue in the roofe of the house and made fast with certain rings behind to the paste-board painted with a Planet or any other thing that shal be drawne softly by a man with a blacke thréed from one end to the other but it must be farre from mens sight that neither of the thréeds may bee séene Sometime you shall haue occasion to shew thunder and lightning as the play requireth then you must make thunder in this manner commonly all Scenes are made at the end of a great Hall whereas vsually there is a Chamber aboue it wherein you must roule a great Bullet of a Cannon or of some other great Ordinance and then counterfeit Thunder Lightning must be made in this maner there must be a man placed behind the Scene or Scaffold in a high place with a boxe in his hand the couer whereof must be full with holes and in the middle of that place there shall be a burning candle placed the boxe must be filled with powder of vernis or sulphire and casting his hand with the boxe vpwards the powder flying in the candle will shew as if it were lightning But touching the beames of the lightning you must draw a piece of wyre ouer the Scene which must hang downewards whereon you must put a squib conered ouer with pure gold or shining lattin which you will and while the Bullet is rouling you must shoote of some piece of Ordinance and with the same giuing fire to the squibs it will worke the effect which is desired It would be ouerlong if I should speake of all things which are to be vsed in these affaires therefore I will leaue speaking of Perspectiue things FINIS Here endeth the second Booke of Architecture entreating of Perspectiue Arte translated out of Italian into Dutch and out of Dutch into English at the charges of Robert Peake for the benefit of the English Nation and are to be sold at his house néere Holborne Conduit vnder the Sunne Tauerne 1611. The third Booke Intreating of all kind of excellent Antiquities of buildings of Houses Temples Amphitheaters Palaces Thermes Obelisces Bridges Arches triumphant c. set downe in Figures with their grounds and measures as also the places where they stand and who made them ROMA QVANTA FVIT IPSA RVINA DOCET To the Reader ALthough diuers Authors write many strange things touching Architecture as the Egyptians the people of Asia and Grecia with diuers other nations and haue left them for our example so that reading them we may sufficiently satisfie our cares and fill them with the greatnesse thereof that is touching the length bredth and depth that certaine places haue contained yet we can not satisfie our eyes nor the desire we haue to see such incredible works vnlesse it had beene our hap to haue the contemplation thereof for that the reliques of such works are almost or for the most part vtterly defaced or vnlesse we might haue seene them drawne in propertion vnto our eyes as in this Booke we may not onely read what the Romanes at the last after other nations had built but also the same Authors haue set downe vnto vs in Figure as you may see them here piece by piece not only how many rods ells feet palmes but also the minutes thereof and what compas they contained all perfectly described And although it was no part of my intent to translate this Booke of Antiquities of Rome into our mother tongue regarding the barrennesse of our language or peraduenture such as studie or fauour the same are all too few to defray my charges therein yet I haue not refrained to doe it being thereunto compelled by the great works of the forification of the City of Andwerp and other great places and for this cause specially that euery man that wondreth at the greatnes thereof which was made with most great cost charges may hereby see and consider yea how much greater needles charges to be compared vnto this the Romanes not speaking of other nation haue in time past bestowed in making of Obelisces Piramides Thermes Theaters Amphitheaters tryumphant Arches and many more such like things which serued only for pleasure tryumph whereby it is to be presumed that they would haue made the fortifications of such Cities or Townes made for the safety of the Land far better then they now are Now it is to be noted that all whatsoeuer the Romanes haue made doth not wholly agree with Vitruuius rules so that many which haue counterfeyted these and such like peeces of worke haue thereby beene abused and deceiued for some would hardly beleeue that in those dayes as well as at this time all maner of workemen were one better then another which many vnawares and vnskilfully do many things which good Antiquities would willingly not suffer hereof they shall find good instructions in this Booke and they may learne if they will read it how to discerne good from bad whereunto the former printed fourth Booke is specially made for in it the whole quantity of the measures is contayned as in the Epistle of the sayd Booke it is promised So in this third Booke you shall not onely find first the Ichnographia and then after the Orthographyes with part of the Sciographies of the most famous Antiquityes of Rome Italy and some of other places but also of the most excellent buyldings in our dayes specially those that are made by Bramant So that the Reader being well instructed in the aforesayd fourth Booke where all the Orders are well set foorth and declared he may of himselfe iudge what is well or ill made that at one time a man may without any further labour make a good and incorrigible peece of worke The third Booke of Antiquitie The fourth Chapter AMong all the ancient building to bee seene in Rome I am of opinion that the Pantheon for one piece
the Wall about the Orchestra is 3. foote and a halfe the Hospitalia marked X. is in length 40. foot and a halfe and in bredth 30. foote the widenesse of the Porticus about the Theatre is 11. foote the Pillars are thicke and broad 3. foote and 3. quarters the widenesse of the Arch is 9. foote the iust bredth of the Orchestra marked B. is 20. foote the place of the Pulpit C. is in length 40. foote and a halfe but the bredth is 12. foote the going through is 9. foote The place marked D. should be the Porticus behind the Scene yet there is no shew of any Columnes but it sheweth that there was a wall standing by the water side The bredth of this place is 19. foot and a halfe Without this Theatre there standeth the foundation of two Buildings but they are so much decayed that you can find no end of them neuerthelesse the Building marked F. for as much as you see of it sheweth that it was ioyned to other things The widenesse wherein the F. standeth is 31. foote The 2. small places or stancies holding vp the one side are eyght foot and a halfe and on the other side ten foot and a halfe The Arches where the foure Columnes stand which I take be made in that manner are in length 27. foot and a halfe and in bredth ten foot and a halfe The bredth of the Building marked E. is twenty foot the hollow places in the sides are 17. foote the length of all together is 60. foote and is distant from the Theatre one hundred and one and fortie foot and from the other Building seuentie foote and a halfe The halfe of the olde foote THE Figure vnder this marked A. I thinke to haue bene the Scene of a Theatre it standeth betwéene Fondi and Torracina but there is so little to be séene of the Theatre that I measured it not neither did I measure this part of the Scene which is more decayed then it sheweth here but as I fote on horse-back I made a slight draught thereof The Doore marked B. standeth at Spoletâ— and is very olde made after the Dorica maner which likewise I did not measure but made onely the inuention and forme thereof The Gate marked C. is betweene Foligus and Rome out in the stréet and although it séeme a licentious and vnséemely thing that the Arch should breake the passage of the Architraue Fréese and Cornice yet neuerthelesse the inuention disliked mee not I measured onely the bredth and the lâ—nâ—th the which I found to bee eighteene foote and one and twenty foote and a halfe I thinke it had béene a small Temple or a Sepulchre but be what it will it sheweth well to a mans sight IT is sayd that this building was called Porticus of Pompeo others say that it was the house of Mario but it is called by the Common people Cacabario which building as farre as I can learne was onely made for men to ease themselues in for there is no dwelling in it at all and although this building at this day is almost decayed yet it was very great and contayned many places as you sée by many houses of this building which are found in the earth Where the Line standeth is now the way to goe from Campo Floro to the Iewes place and where the Crosse is now the houses of Sancta Crose stand where G. staÌ„ds is the Iewes place where the M. standeth bee the Marcellarii where the C. standeth is the Churchâ—yard of S. Saluatorie and where the E. ie cut through is the Fore-front of the houses of Celsis so that thereby you may see the great compas thereof The thrée round things were Stayres to goe vp to the two emptie Roundles And for that there is no shew of Stayres to be séene in those two it is to bee conceaued that they were open places to make water in for such things are necessary The ground of this worke is measured by the same Ell that the Theater of Marcellus was measured withall which measure you you shall finde here after the Obiliscen and halfe an Ell shal be thirty minutes And first the thicknesse of the Pilasters is thrée Elles and a halfe the thicknesse of the Columnes is two Elles the Intercolumnes are on all sides nine Elles and a halfe the Pilasters of the foure Corners are so much more theÌ„ the outermost Corners stand ouer them which Corners were made with good iudgement for they vphold the Corner by strength and with beauty of worke Hereby workemen may learne how to make Corners with Columnes and with Pilasters bound together that the Corner may also be foure square as the Columne is which giueth the Corner more fastnesse then if the same Corner were drawne along the Pilaster and for the Corners which are drawne in if you see them ouer the side in Diagonall maner where the two round Columnes couer the Corner then they will séeme vnperfit Corners and specially because they are séene on all sides TOuching the Ichnographie I haue sayd inough now I must speake something of the forme aboue the ground although there is not much thereof to be séene neuerthelesse there is yet so much standing vpright although it be hidden that thereby the backe part therof without is to be conceaued which in trueth is an ingenious inuention for a fast worke and especially in the first order which you call Dorica although it hath neyther Architraue Trigliph nor Cornice But yet there is the forme and that very subtilly made with great strength and fayre Building as well of hard stone as of Bricks as you may sée in the Figure following The thickenesse and bredth are shewed before the height of the Columnes with Bases and Capitals seuentéene Elles and the height of the Arches fiftéene Elles The height of the Cunco that is the shutting stone aboue the Arch is 2. Elles the height of the binding which is in stead of an Architraue is 2. Elles and so much is the Facie aboue it The second order séemeth vnsupportable for that there is a waight of Pilasters standing aboue an open hole a thing which in trueth is false erronious to speake in reason Neuerthelesse for that the first Order is so fast and strong by meanes of the shutting stone aboue in the Arch as also with the crosse stone vpon it with the fast Facie vpon that and by reason of the good shoulders of the Arch which altogether shew to be such a strength as in effect it is that the Pilasters that rest vpon it séeme not to oppresse the worke as they would if it were a simple Arch with an Architraue Fréese and Cornice for which cause I blame not this inuention therein The widenesse of this Arch is 4. Elles the height is nine Elles the bredth of the Pilasters is two Elles and an halfe the thicknesse of the Columnes is an Ell and a sixt part in Diameter the height of the Columnes is eleuen Elles
eyther side are halfe a foot thicke the Architraue is 7. ounces and an halfe the Fréese is 6. ounces high the height of the Cornice without the Scima is 4. ounces the height of the Timpanum of the Frontispice is 8. ounces Aboue these Tabernacles are small tablets with other Cornices the which tablets are two foot broad and hold one foot in height the height of each Cornice is 11. ounces the height of the opennesse of the Arch although it be somewhat digâ—â—d below is yet twise higher then broad for the widenesse thereof is 10. foote and a quarter and the height is 25. foote and an halfe The Capitall vnder the Arch is as high as broad the worke of this Arch is Composita and brauely set out with Images of Marble and Copper as you may perceaue in the voyd places This is the ground of the Arch following THis forme of the Arch Tryumphant of Castel Vecchio in Verona is made as it is here set downe and although from the Freeses vpwards there are no signes of ornaments neuerthelesse it did stand so And for that the parts hereof are oâ—mall that you can hardly vnderstand them in the next side they shall bee for downe in a greater and playner form This Arch tryumphant by that which is found written within the inner parts thereof by some is sayd that Vitruuius caused it to be made but I beleeue it not and that for two reasons or causes First that I see not in the Inscription that it saith Vitruuius Polio but it is possible that it was another Vitruuius that caused it to be made The second reason is this that Vitruuius Polio in his writing of Architecture doeth vtterly condemne and reiect Mutiles and Dentiles standing together in one Cornice and such a Cornice is found in this Arch. And therefore I conclude that Vitruuius the great and learned Architector made it not but bee it as it will this Arch hath a good forme and proportion These letters are vnder the Tabernacle in the Pedestall C. GAVIO C. F. STRABONI These letters are cut in she inward side of the Arch. L. VITRVVIVS LL. CERDO ARCHITECTVS These letters are also in the Pedestall of the Tabernacle M. GAVIO C. F. MACRO BEcause I haue not fully written the particular measures of the members of the aforesayd Arch neither haue I shewed it in such forme that a man may conceaue the particular measures therefore you may sée them here set out in greater forme and in such sort as they are and first the height of the Plinthus vnder the Base of the Pedestall marked G. is a foote and thrée ounces The height of the Base abous vpon it is 6. ounces The flat of the Pedestall marked F. is 4. foot 3. ounces and an halfe high The Cornice vpon it is 10. ounces and an halfe high The Base of the Columne is one foote high The Plinthus of this Base turneth into a Corona lisis which me thinkes is very pleasant for that I haue two some Gréeke Pedestals so The Columne is strycked chanelled or hollowed from the toy to the bottom The height of the Capitall of this Columne is one foot 4. ounces and an halfe but the forme is not here because it is shewed in the beginning of the Order of Composita which Capitall in effect is Composita although the Arch may be wholly accompted to bee Corinthia and this Capitall standeth in that place maked C. Also in the same place you see the Capitall of the impost of the Arch which is marked with D. But the little Capitall of the Tabernacle betweene the Columnes is here marked H. And the Cornice also with the Ease marked E. is that which is vnder the Tabernacle The Figure C. is the table aboue the sayd Tabernacles and the Figure marked D. is the Architraue Fréese and Cornice of the Frontispicium of the Tabernacle The Figure marked with B. is the worke which goeth about the Arch the Cornice marked A. is the principall Cornice aboue the Arch the which in effect is very comely and well wrought yet it is vicious as I haue often sayd that is the Mutiles and the Dentiles therein are by Vitruuius reiected with many strong reasons But in this many men affirme that fithence Vitruuius time many workemen haue made Mutiles with Dentiles in most places of Italy and there round about so that now there is no question made thereof but euery man hath libertie to make that in his worke which he findeth and séeth in Antiquities whereunto I answere that disprouing the same they haue prooued their cause to be good But if they will acknowledge Vitruuius for a learned Architector as most workemen affirme then reading Vitruuius with good iudgement they must confesse and acknowledge that they haue done amisse therein The halfe of the foot wherewith the Ichnographie and the Orthographie together with the ornaments of this Building are measured IN Verena at the Gate Dei Leoni there is a Tryumphant Arch with two like goings through which I neuer saw in any other place besides but many with 3. Arches which building although it hath the figure of 6. windowes yet go they not through neyther yet very déepe in the wall whereby you may iudge that some round Images stoode in them Aboue the first Cornice this building is hollow in maner of a Nich or seate but not very déepe in the wall but yet with helpe of the proiecture or striking out of the Cornice men might stand there to doe some thing or other while the Triumph lasted but for that this concerneth the workeman very little I will speake of the measures And first the opening of the 1. Arch is 11. foote wide and 18. foote high the Blocke vnder the Pedestall is one foote high the Base of the Pedestall is 3. Ounces the flat of the Pedestall is 2. foote and one Ounce high and the Cornice is 3. Ounces the height of the Bases of the Columnes is 8. Ounces and a halfe the height of the Columnes without Bases or Capitals is 12. foote and 1. third part their thicknes is 1. foot 4. Ounces the height of the Capitall is 1. foote 8. Ounces the height of the Architraue is one foote 5. Ounces the height of the Fréese is one foote 8. Ounces and so much is the height of the Cornices from the Cornices to the second Roofe is 3. foote and a halfe whereon there are certayne Mutiles whereupon Images had stoode made fast to the 7. Pilasters betwéene which little windowes beautified with small pillars stand but not much bearing out the widenes of a window is 2. foote 2. Ounces their height is 4. foot 3 Ounces the height of the greatest Columnes is 5. foote 4. Ounces with Bases and Capitals which are flat not not much raysed vp The height of the second Architraue is 6. Ounces and a halfe the height of the Fréese is one foot and a halfe the height of the Cornice is 10. Ounces and
Author sayth that in Ierusalem as it was told him on a hill there is a building cut out of a reasonable greatnesse in manner hereunder set downe and for that by meanes of the widenesse of the middlemost part the roofe should not fall in therefore the two Pilasters were left in the middle and withall two of a middle sort by them with two lesse also before vnderholding the roofe which altogether were cut out of the rocke with instruments In the first entry are foure little Chappels In the middle there are 18. and behind there stand 2. and a doore locked which sheweth that men went further the greatest Chappel is wide the length of a man whereby you may iudge the greatnesse of the building This place hath no light nor can be perceaued that it had any light The Chappels are taken out as the Figures A. and B. FOr that our Author before speaketh of an Arch triumphant in Verona called Dei Bursari which he termeth to be barbarous and confused of parts and members as according to the writing of Vitruuius of good Antiquities in effect it is Neuerthelesse for that Iohannes Carottus which our Author alledgeth hath set it downe for an ornament of Verona in his booke of Antiquities much better and with more deliberation then all the rest of the Figures by him made for in trueth the rest are very grosse Therefore I thought it good to shew it here to the curious Reader that he may sée and also note by Vitruuius rule aforesaid what is good or ill in it which may peraduenture please some of this countrey better then another because they vse to séeke for much worke in their Architecture And for that this Figure was too great in forme therfore I haue here set downe but the halfe and you must conceaue the other side that is an Arch with windowes and other ornaments like these the foot of Verona wherwith this building is measured standeth here on the sides in halfe proportion of which foot one small standeth in the Pedestal vnder the great Columne whereby the measure is to be conceyted for the sayd Carottus giues no other warrant of all his Figures but onely of the Figure of the wonderfull spectacle as hee termeth it with the Theater aboue it but aboue all with the goings vp to the hill where a Temple of Ianus standeth as our Author sheweth afterward in Folio l. 3. in this present Booke Of this building Carottus saith more then of all the rest and for that I may satisfie the Reader at full of all that is sayd in this Booke therefore I haue caused this figure to bée printed alone because it was too great and in my opinion too grose to set hereby Vale. The end of the third Booke Translated out of Italian into Dutch and out of Dutch into English at the charges of Robert Peake and are to be sold at his house neere Holborne Conduit next to the Sunne Tauerne 1611. The fourth Booke Rules for Masontry or Building with Stone or Bricke made after the fiue maners or orders of Building viz. Thuscana Dorica Ionica Corinthia and Composita and thereunto are added examples of Antiquities which for the most part agree with the instructions of Vitruuius with some Figures more added vnto them which were not in the first and some deuices of the Author which are corrected and hereunto annexed Translated out of Jtalian into Dutch and out of Dutch into English LONDON Printed for Robert Peake and are to be sold at his shop neere Holborne conduit next to the Sunne Tauerne ANNO DOM. 1611. To the wel-willers of Architecture VItruuius sayth that such as haue built without learning or instruction although workemen could neuer make any famous or commendable pieces of worke no more can others being no workemen such as haue followed the letter or writing onely and made no proofe of which some haue presumed to father their doings vpon Vitruuius yet in diuers places of their writings which are found they could not close vp their rules orderly but haue left many things doubtfull and more haue esteemed that to be good and commendable which in worke is not to bee endured The cause of this errour is that the last Booke of the sayd Vitruuius wherein the Figures are was lost whereby men might haue knowne and sound out his meanings so that hereby it appeareth that some Antiquities haue beene very bare in their workes and especially in their Orders of Dorica because Vitruuius nameth no Dorica Bases but in stead thereof speaketh of an Attica Now it may be regarding that he there speaketh not of any Order of Attica therefore they durst not make any Dorica Bases or Columnes on the contrary others possibly contemning the darknesse of the writer or for want of knowledge haue so far exceeded their Author in many things that they haue not onely forsaken and left the examples and reasons of good Antiquities but also more then that haue made their workes vnseemely and ridiculous to mens eyes as may be seene in diuers antient works whereby gentle Reader many workmen well seene in both haue beene cumbred therein and especially in this our time Bramant of Castle Durant Balthazar of Scienne and many others for that not onely by meanes of Iulius the 2. Pope but also by others good Architecture was bettered in their times who after long disputation and searching of many aswell Authors and Commentaries together with the examples of good Antiquities haue with authority to make an end of all doubts not only added this Spira Attica of the Dorica but also as many orders as now are vsed beginning at the Thuscan as the grossest and slenderest of all the rest and haue reduced the same into a certaine and common forme together with their ornaments and measures which vnles Sebastian Serlius a workeman and scholer of the sayd Balthazar hath written and set out in figures so that leauing the obscurities of Vitruuius we may make an incorrigible worke And for that all those that loue workemanship vnderstand not the Italians therefore in my opinion I haue translated the most certayne and best rules out of Italian into Dutch and out of Dutch into English onely the names of all Procels Bases Capitals Cornices c. which are not named in Dutch nor English for that Bastian by Vitruuius termes vseth the common and moderne Italian words which by some should be as hardly vnderstood as the Latine But I would commend him that seeing we take vpon vs to follow Vitruuius writings that we giue him the name of Vitruuius that the learned might bee vnderstood of the workeman and the workeman also vnderstood of the learned And for that the workeman might the better read it I haue printed it in our ordinary Dutch letter And although this fourth Booke of seuen was first set out because it is the best yet the other also are no lesse fit and conuenient to further Architecture or Art of Building as in
the Tenia which Vitruuius nameth Sub tenia are in all the sixt part of a modell which height being deuided into 4. parts the 3. parts shall bee the Guttes and the other the List The Guttes shall bee sixe in number hanging vnder the Trigliphes The height of the Trigliphes or Trigliffe shall be one Modell and an halfe and the bredth one Modell which bredth deuided in 12. on eyther side there shall be one left for the halfe Channels or hollowings and of the 10. parts resting 6. shall bee for the flat of the Trigliphes and 4. for the Channels or hollowing in the middle And from the one Trigliph to the other there shall be the space of a Modell and a halfe which space shall be right 4. square by Vitruuius named Methopha In which spaces us you please you may set cut or graue Oxe heads with Dishes and that not without secret signification For in ancient time when the vnbeléeuing folke sacrificed Oxen they also vsed Dishes Platters thereunto placing such things round about their Temples for ornaments VpoÌ„ the Trigliphs you must place their Capitals the height whereof shall be one sixt part of a Modell Aboue the Trigliphs or their Capitals the Corona must bee placed with 2. Cimaties the one aboue the other below and they both together deuided into 5. parts 3. for the Corona and two for the Cimaties But the height of them all shal be of halfe a Modell vpon the Corona you must place the Scima the height whereof is halfe a Modell and to it you must adde one eyght part for the List thereof aboue The Protecture of the Corona shall bee of 3. parts two be in one Modell in the ground of the Corona right aboue the Trigliphes the Guttes were orderly set as you sée them in the Figure hanging beside Also betwéene the Trigliphes are cut Fulmines that is winged lightning or you may leaue the spacies bare The Proiecture or bearing out of the Scuna must be like the height thereof euen so each part of the bearing out of the Corona shall haue their Proiecture like their height But the more Proiecture the Corona hath if the stone may beare it the more statelyer it sheweth This we sée that the ancient Romanes did obserue as shall be shewed when time serueth both in Figure and measure Cinatius Cinatius Scimd Corona Capitellum feuia Gurte Episfilus IF you will stricke or channell the Columnes you must make 20. in number in maner hollowed and from the one side to the other in the spaces of the strikes there must a strayght line bee drawne which shall bee the side of one 4. square which 4. square being made placing the one foote of the Compas in the Center and with the other touching both the one and the other end of the line drawing it about it will make the right hollowing which shall be the fourth part of a Circle as it is héereunder shewed And if for the raysing vp of Columnes or for other occasions it were necessary to haue the Stilobatum or Pedestall being not high enough to be made higher then the flat of the Stilobatum shall bee like the Plintho of the Base of the Columne and the height that is the euen or flat shal be thus of the bredth shall be made a perfect 4. square and from the one corner to the other a line drawne for Diagonus and the length of the Diagonus shall bee the height of the flat as you may sée it here beneath which being deuided into 5. parts there shal be one part set aboue for the Cimatie with that belongeth therunto and one other part shal be giuen to the Base and so this Pedestall shal be of 7. parts as the Columne is And although this Proiecture of the Capital is contrary to Vitruuius rule because it is Perpendicular with the Plintho of the Base yet for that I haue séene the like in some Antiquities and haue also placed some of the like sort in pieces of worke I thought iâ— not amisse to set this héere for the vse of â—â—ose that will make the like although some of Vitruuius schollers not hauing séene the like in any Antiquities will contradict it but if they marke the Abacus of the Corinthia whose Proiecture also hangeth on the Plinthus of the Base they will not so hastily reiect this Proiecture FOr that I find great difference betwéene the wrytings of Vitruuius and the things of Rome and other places of Italy therefore I haue héere set downe some which are yet extant in worke to be séene which although they bee of small forme without numbers or measures yet they are proportioned according to the great and with great diligence reduced into small forme The Capitall R. was found without Rome vpon a Bridge standing ouer Tiber That Capitall V. is in Verona in an Arch tryumphant That Capitall T. is in Rome in a Dorical Temple called Al career Tulliano That Capitall P. was found in Pesaro with diuers other commendable Antiquities the bearing out whereof although it be great yet it sheweth well to the eye The Basements or Bases and Capitall A. are at Rome in Al foro Boario The Cornice Capitall and Imposta of an Arch marked B. are in the Theater of Marcellus The Cornice Freese and Architraue are also in Rome in Al foro Boario which I haue shewed that workemen may chuse that which liketh them best Hereafter I will set downe some particular measures necessary for the workeman THe parts of the Trigliphes and Methophes being in this order vnprepared and yet very necessary I will take paynes to declare so well as I can First although Vitruuius affirmeth that the Models of the worke Herastilos viz. of sixe Columnes may be distributed and deuided into 35. parts yet I find not that the parts may stand so for this cause that giuing the middlemost inter-Columne 4. Methophes and the other spaces 3. the sayd number will not make the whole but as I conceaue if you set 42. as you may sée and reckon in this Figure following as also in the worke Thetrustilos that is of 4. Columnes the Booke saith that the Forefront of the whole worke should be deuided into 23. parts which I assure you cannot stand so if you will giue the middle space 4. Methophes and the other two eche of them 3. But by my aduice there should be 27. as you may sée in the Figure following Then if the principall of the Temples be deuided into 27. parts the Columnes shall bee 2. Models thicke the middlemost inter Columnes shall be of 8. Models that is the thicknesse of 4. Columnes and the inter-Columnes besides shal be each of 5. Models and an halfe that is two and a quarter and a quarter and halfe and so shall the 27. bee distributed And aboue each Columne his Trigliph being set the Trigliphes deuided with Methophes according to the rule aforesayd then the middlemost space shall haue 4.
sayd of the other and also thereafter as the height is but of 16. foote downewards it shal be lessened aboue the sixt part by the rule aforesaid and if it bee striked or chaneled then you shall make it like the Ionica but from the third part netherwards the caruing or hollowing shall be full as you see it in the Figure on the sides The Corona is without Mutiles whereof the Architraue is halfe the Columnes thickenesse the Fréese for that it is cut is the fourth part more then the Architraue and the Cornice without the Cimatie of the Freese is as high as the Architraue the height of all together is somewhat lesse then the fift part of the Columne neuerthelesse if the Proiecture of the Corona bee well made then it will shew to bee higher then it is and shall bee lesse wayght vpon the building wherefore that the skilful workman may chuse out those parts that best serue his turne that he may not exceed Vitruuius doctrine and the good Antiquities which men by his writing acknowledge if by any accident this Columne had néed of a proportioned Pedestal being not let by any occasion then the proportion thereof shal be thus the bredth shal be deuided in 3. parts whereof 2. parts shall bee for the height that is one fourth parts and 2. third parts I meane the flat which height shall be deuided in 7. parts one for the Bases one for the Cornice aboue which shall in all be 9. parts proportioned according to the Columne but of the particular members of the Bases and Cornices I will hereafter shew more with some Antiquities whereof men may take such measure as shall best serue their turnes AMong other Antiquities of the Corinthia which are séene in Italy I thinke the Pantheon of Rome and the Arch tryumphant at the Hauen of Ancona are the fayrest and best to be séene of which Arch the Capitall hereunder marked A. is with great care proportioned after the great which height is contrary to the writing of Vitruuius neuerthelesse it had good correspondencie it may be that Vitruuius meant that the height of the Capitall should be one Columnes thickenesse without the Abacus but the text herein is falsified for that I haue not onely found this Capitall but others more of such proportion The Columnes hereof are chaneled as it is shewed here the Pedestall with the Base vpon it is a member of the same Arch also proportioned in the small the Cornice hereunto added was found at Al foro transitorio in Rome that marked with A. is very handsome for a Corinthian Cornice without Mogdilions that marked with B. is a little fayrer but that with C. is the vnhandsomest because of the double parts which haue no good grace from the Corona downewards and also for that the Corona vpon so much Cornice hath so small Proiecture The Base of the Pedestall marked D. in my opinion is very fayre and also the Basement with E. I thinke hath béene a thing that hath continued in some building which things altogether men may applie to the order of Corinthia and in the Ionica I haue séene the like The Architraue V. is in Verona in an Arch tryumphant which Facies standeth contrary to Vitruuius writing yet I haue set them here to shew such difference OF the doores of Corinthia worke Vitruuius speaketh nothing at all but I will speake of the Antiquities which are yet to be séene The Gate or doore marked S. Y. is at Tiuoh vpon the Riuer of Auiene in a round Temple made after the Counthia maner which doore is lessened aboue the eyghtéenth part The height is aboue 2.4 squares the rest of the members are proportioned after the great The window T. and X. is in the same Temple and lessened aboue like the doore the Pilasters or Antipagmentum are all proportioned which a man may find with the Compasse The doore following marked P. Z. is that of the Pantheon in Rome also Corinthia worke which is 20. ancient Palmes broad the height 40. And it is sayd that the Antipagmentum is all of one piece and I also haue séene no other The Antipagmentum of this doore is the bredth 〈◊〉 the 8. parts of the light thereof and in the sides it is of a good thickenes But for that you cannot sée the first without séeing a part of the sides therefore it seemeth to such as looke on it to be broader then in effect it is And this doore because it is so high comes in Perpendicular and is not lessened as the other aforesayd all the other members are proportioned according to the greatnesse The Base aboue the Gate is like that of flat Columnes aboue the first order which I haue set downe by the Corinthia THe doore hereunder set downe is at Palestina and is Corinthia the widenesse is 2. fouresquares the Antepagmentum or the Pilaster is broad the sixt part of the widenes deuided in maner aforesaid The Sophore or Fréese is the fourth part more then the Supercilie The Corona and the rest are like the Supercilie deuided as you sée in the Figure The Prothyrides or Ancones with that which is vpon them hang so slightly or loosely as you sée The Frontispicie is made as in the order of Dorica in the second Facie is sayd ALthough this Doore disscreth from all the other that euer I saw in any Antiquitie neuerthelesse it is very pleasâ—â—â— to the sight and sheweth well which Doore is without Spoleta about halfe a mile without the way in an ancient Temple made of the Corinthia maner of the proportion and particular members I will say nothing for hee that seeketh néere may find it with a Compasse OF this Order of Corinthia which is pleasing vnto all men I will make more sorts of busidings setting downe some generall rules to satisfie those that take pleasure to read this worke and for that ancient workemen in times past that desired to make their things strong and euerlasting made Pillars wherein the Pilasters are closed which beare vp the Arches of a great thicknesse for that cause the Forefront or Facie ensuing hath the Pillar that is the whole body as broad before as the widenesse of the Arch is but the thicknesse is 1. fourth part lesse The thickenesse of the Columnes shall bee a sixt part of the Pillar The Niches betwéene the Columnes are 2. Columnes thickenesse in bredth their height is somewhat lesse then 2. fouresquares The height of the Pedestals of 3. Columnes thicknesse The height of the Arch shal be made of 2. fouresquares The height of the Columnes with Bases and Capitals shal be 9. parts and a halfe The bredth of the Arch with the Pilasters shal be of halfe a Columne The Impost which beareth the Arch shal be of the same height made in maner like that of the Theater of Marcellus in the Order of Ionica which Impost shall serue for a Cornice aboue the doore but the height of the doore shal
soeuer they be but not to bring the Reader into confusednesse with making of many formes I will onely set downe this deuided into nine corners which shall serue for an example of all the rest which is thus Take the quarter of the Circle and deuide it into nine parts and foure of these parts will bee the ninth part of the whole Circumference you must also vnderstand the same so if you deuide a Quadrate into eleuen twelue or thirtéene parts c. for that alwayes foure of these parts bee the iust wydenesse of your parts required THere are many Quadrangle proportions but I will here set down but seuen of the principallest of them which shal best serue for the vse of the workeman FIrst this forme is called a right foure cornerd Quadrate THe second forme or figure in Latine is called Sexquiquarta that is which is made of a foure cornerd Quadrate and an eyght part thereof ioyned vnto it THe third figure in Latine is called a Sexquitertia that is made of a foure squared Quadrate and a third part therof ioyned vnto it THe fourth is called Diagonea of the line Diagonus which line deuideth the foure square Quadrate crosse through the middle which Diagonall line being toucht from vnder to the end thereof vpwards with the Compasse and so drawen will shew you the length of the Diagonall Quadrangle but from this proportion there can bee no rule in number well set downe THE fift figure is called a Sexquialtera that is a foure square and halfe of one of the foure squares added vnto it THe sixt is called Superbitienstercias that is a foure square and two third parts of one of the foure squares added thereunto THE seuenth and last figure is called Dupla that is double for it is made of two foure square formes ioyned together and we finde not in any Antiquities any forme that passeth the two foure squares vnlesse it bee in Galleries Entries and other to walke in and some gates doores and windowes haue stood in their heights but such as are wise will not passe such lengths in Chambers or Halles MAny accidents like vnto this may fall into the workmans hand which is that a man should lay a steling of a house in a place which is fiftéene foote long and as many foote broad the rafters should be but fouretéene foote long and no more wood to be had then in such case the binding thereof must be made in such sort as you sée it héere set downe that the rafters may serue and this will also bee strong enough IT may also fall out shat a man should finde a Table of ten foote long and thrée foote broade with this Table a man would make a doore of seuen foote high and foure foote wyde Now to doe it a man would saw the Table long wise in two parts and setting them one vnder another and so they would be but sixe foote high and it should bee seuen and againe if they would cut it thrée foote shorter and so make it foure foote broade then the one side shall be too much péeced Therefore he must doe it in this sort Take the Table of ten foote long and thrée foot broad marke it with A. B. C. D. then sawe it Diagonall wise that is from the corner C. to B. with two equall parts then draw the one péece thereof thrée foote backwards towards the corner B. then the line A. F. shall be foure foote broad and so shall the line E. D. also hold foure foote broad by this meanes you shall haue your doore A. E. F. D. seuen foote long and foure foote broade and you shall yet haue the thrée cornerd pieces marked E. B. G. and C. F. and C. left for some other vse JT happeneth many times that a workman hath an eye or round window to make in a Church as in ancient times they vsed to make them and he doubted of the greatnesse thereof which if he will make after the rules of Geometry hee must first measure the bredth of the place where he will set it and therein he must make a halfe Circle which halfe Circle being inclosed in a Quadrangle then he shall finde the Center by two Diagonall lines then he must draw two lines more which shall reach from the two lowermost corners aboue the Center and touch the iust halfe of the Circle aboue and where the sayd lines cut through the Diagonall lines there you must make two Perpendicular lines which Perpendicular lines shall shew the widenesse of the desired window the list about it may bee made the sixt part of the Diameter being round in bredth IF a workeman will make a Gate or a Doore in a Temple or a Church which is to be proportioned according to the place then he must take the widenesse within the Church or else the bredth of the wall without if the Church bee small and haue Pilasters of Pillars within it then he may take the widenesse betwéene them set the same bredth in a foure square that is as high as broad in which foure square the Diagonall lines and the other two crosse cutting lines will not onely shew you the widenes of the doore but also the places and poynts of the ornaments of the same Doore as you sée here in this Figure And although it should fall out that you haue thrée doores to make in a Church and to that ende cut thrée holes yet you may obserue this proportion for the smallest of them And although gentle Reader the crosse cutting thorow or deuiding is innumerable yet for this time lest I should be too tedious I here end my Geometry Here endeth the first Booke of Architecture treating of Geometry translated out of Italian into Dutch And now out of Dutch into English for the benefit of our English Nation at the charges of Robert Peake 1611. The second Booke of Architecture made by Sebastian Serly entreating of Perspectiue which is Inspection or looking into by shortening of the sight Translated out of Jtalian into Dutch and out of Dutch into English LONDON Printed for Robert Peake and are to be sold at his shop neere Holborne conduit next to the Sunne Tauerne ANNO DOM. 1611. The second Booke A Treatise of Perspectiues touching the Superficies The second Chapter ALthough the subtill and ingenious Arte of Perspectiue is very difficult and troublesome to set downe in writing and specially the body or modell of things which are drawen out of the ground for it is an Arte which cannot be so well expressed by figures or writings as by an vndershewing which is done seuerally Notwithstanding seeing that in my first Booke I haue spoken of Geometry without the which Perspectiue Arte is nothing I will labour in the briefest manner that I can in this my second Booke to shewe the workeman so much thereof that hee shall bee able to aide and helpe himselfe therewith In this worke I will not trouble my selfe to dispute Philosophically what
Perspectiue is or from whence it hath the originall for learned Euclides writeth darkely of the speculation thereof But to proceede to the matter touching that the workeman shall haue cause to vse you must vnderstand that Perspectiue is that which Vitruuius calleth Scenographie that is the vpright part and sides of any building or of any Superficies or bodies This Perspectiue then consisteth principally in three lines The first line is the Base below from whence all things haue their beginning The second line is that which goeth or reacheth to the point which some call sight others the horison But the horison is the right name thereof for the horison is in euery place wheresoeuer sight endeth The third line is the line of the distances which ought alwayes to stand so high as the horison is farre or neere according to the situation as when time serueth I will declare This Horison is to be vnderstood to stand at the corners of our sight as if the workeman would shew a piece of worke against a flat wall taking his beginning from the ground where the feete of the beholders should stand In such case it is requisite that the Horison should bee as high as our eye and the distance to see or behold that worke shall be set or placed in the fittest place thereabouts as if it were in a Hall or a Chamber then the distance shall be taken at the entry thereof but if it bee within or at the end of a Gallery or Court then the distance shall be set at the entry of the same place and if it bee in a Streete against a wall or an house then you must set your distance on the other side right ouer against it But if in such a case the streete is very narrow then it were good to imagine a broad distance lest the shortening fall out to be ouer-tedious or vnpleasant vnto you for the longer or the wyder the distance is the worke will shew so much the better and pleasanter But if you will begin a piece of worke of fiue or sixe foote high from the ground whereon you stand then it is requisite that the Horison should stand euen with your eyes as I sayd before but if a man should see no ground of the worke whereon the vppermost part doeth stand and a man would worke very high it would not be correspondent with the eyes In such a case a man must take vpon him to place the Horison somewhat higher by the aduice of some skilfull workman which maketh histories or other things vpon Houses thirtie or fortie foote high aboue a mans sight which is vnfittingly But cunning workmen fall into no such errors for where they haue made any thing aboue our sight there you could see no ground of the same worke for that the notable Perspectiue Art hath bridled them and therefore as I sayd before Perspectiue Art is very necessary for a workeman And no Perspectiue workeman can make any worke without Architecture nor the Architecture without Perspectiue To proue this it appeareth by the Architectures in our dayes wherein good Architecture hath begun to appeare and shew it selfe For was not Bramant an excellent Architector and was he not first a Painter and had great skill in Perspectiue Art before he applyed himselfe to the Art of Architecture and Raphael Durbin was not he a most cunning Paynter and an excellent Perspectiue Artist before he became an Architector And Balthazar Perruzzie of Sienna was also a Paynter and so well seene in Perspectiue Art that he seeking to place certaine Pillars and other Antike works perspectiuely tooke such a pleasure in the proportions and measures thereof that he also became an Architector wherein he so much exâ—elled that his like was almost not to be found Was not learned Ieronimus Genga also an excellent Paynter and most cunning in Perspectiue Arte as the faire works which he made for the pleasure of his Lord Francisco Maria Duke of Vrbin can testifie vnder whom he became a most excellent Architector Iulius Romanus a scholler of Raphael Durbin who by Perspectiue Arte and Paynting became an excellent Architector witnesseth the same Then to come to my purpose I say that a man must be diligent and vigilant in this Arte wherein I will begin with small things and then proceed to greater vntill I haue shewed you the full Arte and manner thereof as I desire TO the ende that men by small matters may attaine to greater therefore I will begin to shew how to shorten a foure cornerd thing from whence all the rest shall bee deriued Then the Base of this foure square thing shall be A. G. and the height of the Horison as I sayd before shall bee imagined according to the fight and that shall be P. whereunto all the lines doe runne as the lines of the sides A. P. and G. P. then at the one ende of the Quadrante you must set a Perpendicular line which is G.H. which done then drawe the Base A. G. K. long though and then out of the Horison draw a Paralell or an Equidistant sine from the Base as far as you will that the eye or sight shall stand from that which you will looke on for how much the more you will haue the foure square thing to seeme shorter so much further you must goe with yoin sight I. from H. to behold the foure square thing And then taking H. I. for the distance from the point I. to the corner A. draw a line and where the line cutteth through the Perpendicular line H. Gâ—th it is on B. there the termination of the shortening of the foure square thing shall bee as you may sée in the figure following But if you will make more foure squares one aboue the other vpon the same Horison or poynt then you must draw another line from the shortening poynt of the foure square or Quadrant to the letter I. and where it cutteth through the Perpendicular line aforesaid that is at C there the second Quadrant shal be rut off and in like sort you must draw another line to the poynt of the distance and where it toucheth the Lead or Perpendicular line that is on D. you shall make the third Quadrante the same may be done with E. and so you must goe vntill you come iust vnder the Horison THe rule aforesaid is the perfectest and you may prooue it by the line G. H. which is called the line of the Quadrante but because it is cumbred with a greater number of lines and so more tedious therefore the rule ensuing shall be shorter and easilyer to be done then the other for when the Base A. G. is drawne and the two side lines make a Triangle A. P. G. then you must draw the Paralels of the Base of the Horison long inough and as farre as you will stand from the worke to sée it so farre you must set the Perpendiculars I. K. from the poynt G. then you must draw