259 



apparent; and, likewise, that Hie alteration 

 must be in proportion as the original cha- 

 racter or design is obliterated by that decay: 

 a building, however, does not immediately 

 change its original character, but parts with 

 it by degrees; and seldom, perhaps, loses it 

 enti rely. 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 whole design of the artist in 

 every part complete. If this be granted, 

 then 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 which ^vye 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 

 tlmt belong to architecture, the polish of its 

 columns, the highly finished execution of it& 

 capita]* .&pd mouldings, its upis and statues 



s 2 f 



