400 



But \vliat if it could be shewn, that although 

 it be true that this rough dingy stoue was used in 

 the construction of the building, yet that the co- 

 lour and surface of the temple, when complete 

 and perfect, were as I had supposed them to be ! 

 What, if in addition to; Mr, Knight's valuable 

 suffrage, 1 should be able to adduce the highest 

 possible authority on the present occasion, in 

 favour of such a colour and surface I no less than 

 that of the architect of the temple itself! This I 

 believe I can do, for there is the strongest reason 

 to suppose that the whole was originally covered 

 with stucco, some of it being still remaining on 

 parts of the building :* and this accounts in a 



* I am indebted for this, and for whatever curious information 

 •Is contained in this discussion, to an eminent architect, whose name 

 would have fully established the accuracy of all his communications: 

 but I have, deaied myself the satisfaction I should have had in men- 

 tioning it, from finding, that although he was unwilling to refuse me 

 the permission, he wosld not have granted it without some reluct- 

 nnce. I should on any occasion feel a little jay-like, if I were to 

 plume layself on borrowed feathers, as if they were my own ; and on 

 this, not a little ungrateful to the person who so kmdly furnished them, 

 if I did not publickly acknowledge my obligation, although he wishes 

 not to be named. If more reasons were wanting for doing, what it 

 would be so improper not to dOj, I may lastly add, what indeed is a 

 reason of no slight consequence, that instead of offering the whole as 

 coming from myself, I now confidently oppose to some points of 

 Mr. Knight's attack, tlie accurate observations, and protessional 

 knowledge and judgment of an architect, who took particular pains 

 in examining the temple of Tivoli; and whose testimony with regard 

 to the stucco has peculiar weight, from bis having, with his owa 

 hands, taken off a part of it from the shafts of the columns. 



