6? 



BOOK L 

 PART III. 



ARCHITECTURE. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Numerous dissertations have been written on the origin and 

 antiquity of architecture, which it is unnecessary to repeat : all 

 these have proceeded on the self-evident necessities of human 

 life, and the early adoption of some means of defence against 

 the inclemency of the weather. It is of no importance, of what 

 form, or with what materials, original huts were constructed ; 

 there cannot be a doubt that in these particulars they would 

 differ according to situation, climate, and other circumstances. 

 It is sufficient, when enquiring into the fundamental principles 

 of this art, to know that they were constructed for the purpose 

 of utility ; and whatever were the forms or materials then used, 

 there can be no reason, in the nature of things, why such forms 

 or materials should be used ever after : on the contrary, as 



