22 
that the material is equal to its office. The resistance of iron is greater 
than that of stone ; but if iron Columns be made to represent stone, they 
will appear too light and weak. On the contrary, if stone Columns be 
made to resemble metal, they will appear too heavy and massive : and 
if either of those materials be made to imitate wood, not only the re- 
lative strength of each must be considered, but also the Principles 
of Construction, which are totally different in the Grecian and Gothic 
Styles. 
' This remark is every day confirmed by the too slender groins of Gothic Arches, to imitate stone, in plaster 
or cast iron, and the too slender Columns of Grecian Architecture in wood painted to imitate stone and marble. 
