CIVIL ARCHITECTURE. 



PHnt'i 



VlIU 



TlATI 



CLXI. 



Jjuremi. 



num. 



Prcuc. ouite plain, la the circular temple of Faunui at Rome, 

 ~~ ""' the exterior of the main structure WM riicompassi-d by a 

 lower one, consisting of an arcade whose arches sprung 

 immediately from the top of Corinthian columns. The 

 interior of the central building was divided by a straight 

 wall, having in iu lower part an arcade similar to that 

 before mentioned. The upper windows of the central 

 building were not only arched, but each was divided by 

 a small column, from which rose small arches included 

 under the main arch, and having a circular perforation 

 over them ; thu, in nuny respects, not only differing 

 from the Greek, but affording the elements of Saxon and 

 Gothic architecture. 



\Vc must rest satisfied with the foregoing specimens, 

 selected from the numerous public buildings of the Ro- 

 mans, which were co-extensive with their empire, and shall 

 next proceed to give some account of their private dwell- 

 ings. The engraved specimen, Plate CLXI. is from Ncw- 

 ton's I'llruiius, being considered the best authority ; but 

 we shall precede even that by the description which Pliny 

 the consul gives of his winter residence at Laiircntimim, 

 which, being distinct and particular, will afford a perfect 

 idea of the villa of a wealthy but not extravagant Roman 

 nobleman ; it was situated seventeen miles distant from 

 Rome. " The landscape, on all sides, is extremely di- 

 versified ; the prospect in some places being confined by 

 woods, in others extending over large and beautiful mea- 

 dows, where numberless flocks of sheep and herds of 

 cattle, which the severity of the winter has driven from 

 the mountains, fatten in the vernal warmth of this rich 

 pasturage. My villa is large enough to afford all desi- 

 rable accommodation, without being extensive. The porch 

 before it is plain, but not mean, through which you en- 

 ter a portico in the form of the letter D, which includes 

 a small but agreeable area. This affords a very commo- 

 dious retreat in bad weather, not only as it is inclosed 

 with windows, but particularly as it is sheltered by an 

 extraordinary projection of roof. From the middle of 

 this portico you pass into an inward court extremely 

 pleasant, and from thence into a handsome hall, which 

 runs out towards the sea ; so that when there is a south- 

 west wind, it is gently washed with the waves, which 

 spend themselves at the foot of it. On every side of 

 this hall there are cither folding doors, or windows equal- 

 ly large, by which means you have a view from the front 

 and two sides, as it were of three different seas ; from 

 the back part you see the middle of the court, the por- 

 tico, and area ; and by another view you look through 

 the portico into the porch, from whence the prospect is 

 terminated by the woods and mountains which are seen 

 at a distance. On the left hand side of this hall, some- 

 what farther from the sea, lies a large drawing room, 

 and beyond that a second of smaller size, which has one 

 window to the rising and another to the setting sun ; 

 this has likewise a prospect of the sea, but being at a 

 greater distance, is Ins incommoded by it. The angle 

 which the projection forms with this drawing room, re- 

 tains and increases the warmth of the eun j and hither 

 my family retreat in winter to perform their exercises. 

 It is sheltered from all winds, except those which are 

 generally attended with clouds, so that nothing can ren- 

 der this place useless, but what, at the same time, de- 

 itroyi fair weather. Contiguous to this is a room, form- 

 ing the tegmcnt of a circle, the windows of which are 

 so placed ai to receive the sun the whole day ; in the 

 walls are contained a set of case?, which contain a col- 

 lection of such authors whose works can never be read 

 too often. From hence you pass into a bed-chamber 

 through a passage, which, being boarded and suspended, 



as it were, over a stove which rims underneath, tempers Practice, 

 the heat, which it receives and conveys to all parts of this *"". """ 

 room. The remainder of this side of the house is appropri- 

 ated to the use of my slaves and fn-edmen ; but most of the 

 apartments, however, arc neat enough to receive any of 

 my friends. In the opposite wing is a room ornamented 

 in a very elegant taste ; next to which lies another room, 

 whic-h, though large for a parlour, makes but a mode- 

 rate dining-room. It is exceeding warm, and enlighten- 

 ed, not only by the direct rays of the sun, but by their 

 reflection from the sea. Beyond is a bed-chamber, to- 

 gether with its antichambcr, the height of which renders 

 it cool in summer : as its being sheltered on all sides from 

 the winds, makes it warm in winter. To this apartment 

 another of the same sort it joined by a common wall. 

 From thence you enter into the grand and spacious cool- 

 ing room belonging to the bath. From the opposite 

 walls of which two round basons project, sufficiently 

 large to swim in. Contiguous to this is the perfuming 

 room, then the sweating room, and next to that the fur- 

 nace, which conveys the heat to the baths. Adjoining 

 are the two little bathing rooms, fitted up in an elegant 

 rather than a costly manner. Annexed to this is a warm 

 bath, of extraordinary workmanship, wherein one may 

 swim, and have a prospect, at the same time, of the sea, 

 together with the beautiful villas that stand interspersed 

 upon the coast. At the other end is a second turret, in 

 which is a room that receives the rising and setting sun. 

 Behind this is a large repository, near to which is a gal- 

 lery of curiosities, and underneath is a spacious dining- 

 room, where the roaring of the sea, even in a storm, is 

 heard but faintly. It looks upon the garden, and ges- 

 tatio which surrounds the garden. The gestatio is en- 

 compassed with a box-tree hedge ; and, where that is 

 decayed, with rosemary ; for the box, in those parts 

 which are sheltered by the buildings, preserves the ver- 

 dure perfectly well ; but when, by an open situation, it 

 lies exposed to the spray of the sea, though at a great 

 distance, it withers. Between the garden and this ges- 

 tatio runs a shady plantation of vines, the alley of which 

 is so soft, that you may walk barefoot upon it without 

 injury. The garden is chiefly planted with fig and mul- 

 berry trees, to wliich the soil is favourable, as it is averse 

 from all others. In this place is a banqucting-room, 

 which, though it stands remote from the sea, enjoys a 

 prospect nothing inferior to that view. Two apart- 

 ments run round the back part of it, the windows where- 

 of look upon the entrance of the villa, and into a very 

 pleasant kitchen garden. From hence an inclosed por- 

 tico extends, which, by its great length, you might sup- 

 pose erected for the use of the public. It has a range 

 of windows on each side ; but on that which looks to- 

 wards the sea, they are double the number of those next 

 the garden. When the weather is fine and serene, 

 these are all thrown open ; but, if it blows, those on the 

 side the wind sets are shut, while the others remain 

 inclosed without any inconvenience. Before this portico 

 lies a terrace, perfumed with violets, and warmed by the 

 reflection of the sun from the portico ; wliich, as it re- 

 tains the rays, so it keeps off the north-east wind ; and 

 it is as warm on this side as it is cool on the opposite. 

 In the same manner it proves a defence against the south- 

 west ; and thus, in short, by means of its several sides, 

 breaks the force of the winds, from what point soever they 

 blow. These are some of its winter advantages. They 

 are still more considerable in summer ; for at that season it 

 throws a shade upon the terrace duiing all the forenoon, 

 as it defends the gestatio, and that part of tlie garden 

 which lies contiguous to it, from the afternoon sun, and 



