INTRODUCTION. ix 



<ie la Nature of the Abbe Vertot. But the prefent one was 

 condructed upon my own principles ; 1 intruded the execu- 

 tion of the glades toMeiTrs Nairne and Blunt, Mathematical 

 indrument-makers oppofite to the Exchange, whom I had 

 ufually employed upon fuch occafions, and with whofe ca- 

 pacity and fidelity I had, after frequent trials, the greateft 

 reafon to be fatisfied. 



This, when finifhcd, became a large and expenfive indru- 

 ment; but being feparated into twopieces, the top and bottom, 

 and folding compactly with hinges, was neither heavy, cum- 

 berfome, nor inconvenient, and the charge incurred by the ad- 

 ditions and alterations was confiderably more than compen- 

 fated by the advantages which accrued from them. Its body 

 was an hexagon of fix-feet diameter, with a conical top ; in 

 this, as in a fummer-houfe, the draughtsman fat unfeen, and 

 performed his drawing. There is now, I fee, one carried as 

 a mow about the llreets, of nearly the fame dimenfions, 

 called a Delineator, made on the fame principles, and feems 

 to be an exact imitation of mine. 



By means of this indrument, a perfon of but a moderate 

 {kill in drawing, but habituated to the effect of it, could do 

 more work, and in a better tade, whiht executing views of 

 ruined architecture, in one hour, than the readied draughtf- 

 man, fo unaflifted, could do in feven ; for, with proper care, 

 patience, and attention, not only the elevation, and every 

 part of it, is taken with the utmod truih and juded propor- 

 tion, but the light and made, the actual breaches as they 

 ftand, vignettes, or little ornamental fnrubs, which generally 

 hang fr >m and adorn the projections and edges of the feveral 

 members, are finely exprefled, and beautiful leffons given, 



Vol. I. b how 



