nN 
[29 ] 
Tue Dean feems to have fallen into the common error of thofe 
who adopt a fyftem. Being perfuaded that this theatre was a 
Roman work, he previoufly determined what ought to be the dif 
pofition of every part, as defcribed by Vitruvius; and adapting 
all his obfervations to thofe rules, he faw nothing but what cor- 
refponded with his fyfiem. 
As the plans now fubmitted to the Academy were taken at a 
time when there was no opportunity of confulting any ancient 
writer on ‘the fubje@t, and the meafurements made from what 
was a€tually feen to exift, thefe obfervations are at leaft free from 
that ‘error. 
Tuts theatre is fituated on the: north-eaft declination of the 
hill on which the renowned citadel of Sazuntum is fituated, where 
“ Eminet excello con/urgens colle Saguntos,’ and within one hundred 
and twenty yards of the wall. Advantage is taken of the ground 
for the difpofition of the feats: the feveral approaches from the 
town and entrances to the feats are contrived with great inge- 
nuity, and fo difpofed as to afford a convenient admiffion, without 
incurring great expenfe in levelling and working the rock upon 
which it is founded *. 
Ir is built entirely of limeftone in even courfes of from feven 
to eight inches thick without any mixture of bricks. No. erna- 
ment 
* Fundamentorum autem fi in montibus fuerit facilior erit ratio. Vit. Lib. 5, 
Cup. 3. 
