2yA. Phfical and Mtfcellaneous 



through a Porch or Gate-Way, with Benches on each Side, 

 where the Mailer of the Family receiveth Vifits and difpatch- 

 eth His Bufinefs ; few Perfons, not even the neareft Relations, 

 having Admiffion any further, except upon extraordinary Oc- 

 ue court, cafions. From hence we are received into the Court, which 

 lying open to the Weather, is, according to the Ability of the 

 Owner, paved with Marble or fuch proper Materials, as will 

 immediately carry off the Water. There is fomething very 

 analogous betwixt This open Space in the Mooripj Buildings, 

 The Cava and the Impluvium ' or Cava JEd'mm of the Roman Archi- 

 '^'^'"'"' tenure ; both of Them being alike expofed to the Weather 

 and giving Light to the Houfe. When much People are to 

 be admitted, as upon the Celebration of a Marriage, the Cir- 

 cumcifing of a Child or Occafions of the like Nature, the Com- 

 pany is rarely or never received into one of the Chambers, 

 but into the Court, which is ftrewed accordingly with Mats 

 and Carpets for their more commodious Entertainment. Now 

 as this Part of the Houfe is always allotted for the Reception 

 of large Companies, being alfo called [i=.-y3i El Τ^οοβ'] The 

 Middle of the Houfe , and fo far litterally anfwering to the 

 αηά-,ίμίοζν TO μΛσΌΊ of St. Luhe, it is probable that the Place, where our 

 "{fo.'^"' ^" Saviour and the Apoftles were frequently accuftomed to give 



their Inftrudions, might have been in the like Situation. 

 The Court It is ufual in the Summer Seafon, and upon all Occafions, 

 jhadedbj a ^^}^^γ^ ^i Lirgc Compauv is to be received, to have the Court 

 ilieltred from the Heat or Inclemency of the Weather, by a 

 Velnm\ Umbrella or Veil, as I iliall call It, which, being 

 expanded upon Ropes from one Side of the Parapet Wall to 

 the other, may be folded or unfolded at Pleafurc. The Pfalmift 

 feems to allude to fome Covering of this Kind in that beau- 

 tiful ExprelTion, of jf reading out the Heavens like a Curtain \ 

 avd furround- The Court is for the moil Part furrounded with a Cloyiler ; 

 ciojfter.'' 3S thc Cava jEdium of the Romans was with a Terifljlium 



I Si reliftum eiat in aiedio domus lit liicem caperet, deorfum quo iinpluebat, Inipluvium 

 dicitiir. Vurro de Ling. Lat. 1. 4. 5• 33• Impluviiim locus fine" teiilo in sedibus, 

 quo implucrc imber in domum poifit. yifcon. Pedan. Not. in Cicer.Oiat. i. in Verrcm c. ^6. 

 Sub divo, quod /?H/)/«v/«?w dicitur. Serv. Not. in Firg. JEr\. 11. v. yi2. Atr'i. t xdiddj ^enus 

 fucre, continent mediamarcam, in quam ex omni teoto pluvia rccipicur, columnis quadrifa- 

 riam per fingulos angulos difpofitis & EpilHlijs. Alexand. ab AlexAudra Genial. D. I. 3. 

 cap. 6. PriKtci• Veflibula fuere cav.i ad'iu7ii & periflylia in quse quifque fuojure non vocatus 

 admittebatur. Id. lib. 5•. cap. 24. 2. This is the fame witb the Avah. (^c>\j>m which is inter- 

 preted, Velum, aut quid iimilc, quod obtcnditur atrio domus, ka Cavddio. Vid. Go!. 

 in voce. 3 The fame Exprcffion we have in the Prophet Ifaiah 40. zz. 



or 



