J 792. on taste in architecture. 2^f 



The roof of this improved arbour would be cover- 

 ed in after the sa'ne maaaer, and similarly fortified 

 against the accefs of wind and rain, according to the 

 circumstances of the climate. This dwelling would 

 exhibit no mean image of an original temple, to 

 which it would lead in the next stage to improve- 

 ment, which ihall be the subject of our immediate 

 consideration. 



§ II. Me 1 protected against the injuries of weather, 

 and the molestation of beasts, would be induced some- 

 times by fear, and sometimes by gratitude, if not by- 

 traditional theology, to adore or deprecate the Majesty 

 of lieavcn, or the supposed power of invisible beings. 

 He would ascend high mountains where he thought 

 himself nearer to tr n^aiUity and happinefs, and to 

 ths ocats of eternal naturr'S. He would kindle fire 

 in honour of the v v f ing author of day, rejoice in 

 his approach, or mourn his departure. Soine place 

 of fhelter would be neccfsary to perform the adoring 

 or appeasing rites, and he would naturally adopt and 

 amplify that mode of building which he had chosen 

 for domestic comfort ; but the object of his adoration 

 or fear, being invisible, he would not at first think, 

 of excluding this mansion from the accefs of light, 

 or of the extern il air, — it would be, (as we may say,) 

 an open rotunda. Oi very high mountains the elec- 

 tric aura encompafses the head with a phosphoric 

 nimbus, with which adject, accordingly, the worfhip- 

 pers of the sun were wont to be represented, — a sym- 

 bol that ha, been adopted in the mythology of our so- 

 phisticated religion during the dark ages. As society 

 became closer and more complicated, and its powers 



