259 



npparoiit ; and, likewise, that the alteration 

 must be in proportion as the original cha- 

 racter or design is oi^literatcd by that decay : 

 a building, however, does not immediately 

 cliange its original cliaracter, but parts with 

 it by degrees; and seldom, perhaps, loses it 

 entirely. It will probably be acknowledged, 

 that a beautiful building is in its most beau- 

 tiful state, when the columns are in every 

 part round and smooth, the ornaments en- 

 tire, and the Avhole design of the artist in 

 every part complete. If this be granted, 

 tlien from the first moment that the smooth- 

 ness, the symmetry, the design of such a 

 building suffers any injury, it is manifest 

 that its beauty is thereby diminished : and 

 it may be observed, that there is a state of 

 injury and decay, in wdiich we only perceive 

 and lament the diminution of beauty, with- 

 out being consoled for it by any other cha- 

 racter. In proportion as the injury in- 

 creases, in proportion as the embellishments 

 that belong to architecture, the polish of its 

 columns, the highly finished execution of its 

 capitals aiid mouldings, its urns and statues, 



