and as a proof, I fhall conclude this paper with fome notice of the project of an ingenious phyfician in the Weft, who has lately invented an air-pump, if I may fo call it, for the brain. This gentleman, after many experiments, has at length contrived, by dint of air only, to oblige people to be merry, Jaugh outright, and declare themselves extremely happy, without knowing why or wherefore. I muft regret, however, that this difcovery has not yet been made fufficiently public. An hundred and twenty miles, is too long a journey for an hour's happinets; and it were to be wifhed the ingenious contriver would enable the public at large, who might purchafe his machines, to pump in a little felicity whenever their occafions demanded it. Yet, confined as this difcovery is at prefent, I look upon it to be one of the most important ever made, not only to individuals, but to large bodies, communities, corporations, &c. As it has the fingular property of forcing people to laugh, our theatrical managers would foon fee the neceffity of erecting one in each houfe, capable of operating on the whole audience, and producing that mirth which flowed formerly from our comedies, when wit was accounted a principal ingredient, and the dialogue was lefs beholden, than at prefent, to the carpenter and feene-painter. As to private families, it is incredible how much good might be done by occafional infufions of good-humour, in promoting the happinefs of hufbands and wives, and lellening the fatigues of proctors and fpecial juries. It may be doubted whether it would not even fave the SPEAKER of a certain great affembly fome unpleafant neceffities, and render the call to order lefs frequent, by enabling him to throw a placid air to whatever fide of the House there appeared the mift of party and the lour of oppofition. I therefore beg leave to recommend this fcheme with the honour it deferves; and I long for its extenfion, and the happy day when foreigners fhall rejoice to breathe in the facetious atmosphere of Old England. Good-humour is at prefent in fuch high demand, that any project for its increase must be liftened to with eager approbation. It would perhaps be of more ufe to literature than is commonly imagined, and again be acknowFedged a characteristic of wisdom. But at prefent, I am forry to fay it, difputes are generally carried on with far more afperity than the fubject demands, and fome have oddly enough contrived to vent thofe paffions by the pen, which were formerly confidered as the exclufive privilege of the tongue. Time and attention could not be better employed than in deyifing a remedy for this evil; and, as I am not wholly without hopes that a confiderable progrefs may be made by joint efforts in this defign, I fhall take an early opportunity to offer fome hints on the pallions of the pen, the bigotry of liberality, and the intemperance of fober difcuffion. P. O's Letter fhall be attended to. ALLOW me to rectify a mifconcep tion of your correfpondent Philarguros (p. 17), who fuppofes me to, have reprefented the Silver ftatue, to which the arm difcovered in the townfhip (not parifh) of Butterworth had originally belonged, as intended "to commemorate" Valerius Rufus. If Philarguros will turn to p. 28 of the Hitiory of halley, he will find that the ftatue was of Victory (the victory of the 6th legion), dedicated by Valerius Rufus, of whom it is furely no improbable conjecture to fuppofe that he was an officer of fome rank belonging to the legion in question. Philarguros appears not to be very familiarly acquainted with the nature of votes, or the flyle of votive inferiptions. I am, however, indebted to him for the candid and obliging manner in which he has ftated his difficulty; and am his, and Mr. Urban's, obedient fervant, T. D. WHITAKER. GRECIAN ARCHITECTURE. No. IX. Mr. URBAN, Portfca, March 1. IN conclufion of the laft number it was contended, that on the juftness of difpofition depends the beauty found in architecture; and, indeed, difpofition may be deemed the fummary of architectural perfections. It is defined by Vitruvius the due arrangement of things, and an elegant refult of plans defigned in character with the quality of the work. It is here the architect finds his tentative. A judicious felection from amongst Nature's beauties is to characterife his plans; and order, fymmetry, and decorum, are his guides conducting him to this elegant refult; for, in reality, a perfect difpofition prefuppofes order, fymmes try try, and decorum, which, though diftinct things, are certainly fubfervient to it. Experience, judgment, tafte, knowledge, and a certain dignity of mind, uninfluenced by prepoffeffions, are the endowments required to produce a fine difpofition. The common deception that milleads thofe who addrefs themselves to any of the liberal arts is, that the pleafure conceived at their first introduction to the art which they affect, prompts them to believe that to be ealy in execution which they find fo charming in contemplation. Thus (in the art in quef tion) miftaking approbation for knowledge, and tafte for ability, they are apt to conclude that the underlanding of the rules and method of delineating the ornamental parts of architecture, as taught in a variety of little publications in our language, is all that is required to make them adepts in the art. But the Tyro, who with this fmall ftock of qualifications fall undertake to defign a noble and magnificent ftructure, will foon find himself embarraffed for the task he has yet to learn is of infinite difficulty, and attained to but by few, becaufe there are but few that have real genius. Hence come thofe abufes that difgrace our nation: and it is hard to fay which is in the greatett excefs, the folly of the employers, or the prefumption of the builders. It is by repeated trials and a ftudious application of mind to the modes of difpofition, that a competency even in this art can be acquired. And there are many acquirements, befides defigning, eflentially requifite in an Architect, fuch as arithmetic, menfuration, feveral branches of geometry, fome progrefs in natural philofophy, hiftory, and civil law; to which our mafter, Vinuvins, adds mufic, logic, and phyfic; but in thefe times we may with propriety fubftitute, in place of thefe three laft, fome knowledge of Greek, Latin, French, and Italian, which will be of much greater fervice in architectural refearches. There are feveral statutes for regulating building, which Mr. Taylor, of Holbourn, has felected and publifhed for the convenience of architects. But for making valid contracts which the architect will have frequent occafion to enter into, a farther knowledge of law will be found neceflary. Nor can a proper judgemnt be formed of feveral kinds of materials without fome knowledge of natural philofophy and after all there is one effential endowment more, and which books cannot impart, viz experience in the practical part of building. When all this is duly confidered, we may easily account for the abufes introduced by unqualified practitioners in the Grecian architecture, which in the courte of thefe letters will be freely combated, as well as the falle tafte for Gothick flights which fome are endeavouring, with much folicitude, to revive. But to return : The modes of difpofition are diflinguifhed by Vitruvius by the terms ichnography, orthography, and feenography, which are familiarized in our language by ground-plan, elevation, and perspective. The Rev. Daniel Barbaro contends much for a correction of our mafier's term fcenography into fciography, as this word favours the notion of a fection or profile, which he argues to be of more ufe in defigning plans than perfpective; and his opinion is very reafonable, though we cannot doubt but that Vitruvius wrote fcenography. But, as fections are of fuch effential ufe in explaining the various connexions among the parts of a structure, it feeins probable that our matter, who could not be unacquainted with their ufe, includes them under the terin orthography as well as what we call elevations; and in the firict and literal fent, the term meansTM any upright defign. But a farther difcullion of this controverfy is unneceffary, fince the nature of fections is perfectly understood, and their ufe ac knowledged; though a mocel is preferable to repeated fections: and 'the principle ufe of a perfpective defign is to convey a general notion of an intended work to the minds of fuch as underftand not other plans. In difcuffing the feveral topics that appertain to the modes of difpofition, in which the principal defign of these letters will be unfolded, as a leading principle to all, and which can never be too much inculcated, it may fafely be laid down, that a majestic fimpli city will always beft eufure fuccefs. Let two elevations be imagined on the fame fcale, one with an entablature and pediment everywhere crowded with foliage, feftoons, exquifite frets, and multiplied divifions of little mouldings, enriched with delicate fculpture : the other with few members in appro priate fymmetry fparingly decorated; this will really be, and will appear, , more more noble and magnificent than that with all thofe gaudy enrichments, which all expenfive as they are, give the whole edifice an air of littlenefs and elaborate confufion, while the eafy fimplicity in the difpofition of the other opens to the mind a majettic idea of beauty and grandcur, wherein every member appears diftinct, meets the eye in a pleating fignificancy, and, all feen together, compote an entire figure, without redundance, confufion, or deficiency. It will be found that the rules of fyntmetry and preferiptions of difpofition delivered by Vitruvius, conduce much to this defireable end of a maJeftic fimplicity, which is the criterion of true genius and good tatie. Yet neither his laws nor the antique remains are to be obeyed with a timid fervility; deviations may be fometimes made from both, and fuccefs better fecured by confulting a little the talte of the age we live in. Eut, before liberties of this kind are taken, the practitioner fhould be fure that he underftands Vitruvius; otherwife he may think that he is improving on his documents, when he is only confining himself within exceffes that Vitruvius never thought of, as Perrault has fometimes done. They who refiored the Grecian ftyle thought it incumbent on them to adhere minutely to the fymmetrics of the antique, left their own authority, had they refted on it, fhould have been difputed, when they combated the falle tate of their times and the prevalence of prepoffeffions in fayour of the Gothic architecture. They well knew that there was that beauty and excellence in fome of the antique remains, juft as they found them, to frike the mind, and bring home conviction of their great fuperiority over the Gothic. But at prefent the Grecian architecture has merely for its enemy the abufes introduced into it by unqualified practitioners; its own beauties and excellence have been fo long and fo univerfally acknowledged Yours, &c. PHILO-TECHNON. THE PURSUITS OF ARCHITECTURAL THE HE Cafile. This vaft pile is erected on a height made by the affociation of many rocks, as one eternal fupport to fuch an aggrandifed work of defence. The North fide of this height rifes perpendicular from the Wye, prefenting a natural bafement wall; while the other three fides fhew the excavated labours of man, which, as at Goodrich cattle, not only gave the fof, but fupplied the materials for the edifice above; an undertaking of the greatest concern to the Architect, who, by the expanfe here allowed him, had an opportunity to exercife the utmot of his fkill. As for the expence incurred on works like thefe, that mutt have been but a negative thought; extent, grandeur, and fecurity, were, beyond a doubt, the emulating caufes which directed the formation of Chepflow cafile. The general plan is divided into four large courts, having two entrances, one to the Eaft, and one to the Weft. Their South fides run along the fofs, and their North fides overhang the river. This latter range being inaccellible to any force, the line of the great kitchen, great hall, grand chambers, and bowers, here prefent themfelves, in every mark of rich decoration, in their windows, &c. &c. ; whereas the former flanks of the works, liable to confiant attacks, are mafoned in the fimpleft and most defenfible manner, with no other apertures than loop-holes, in finall fquare openings, and long and narrow, and crofs ditto. In taking the out-round of these walls, I obtained an inftructive leffon of the firft ufe, in a progreffive train of architectural forms, from plain defign, to that of the most elaborate compofition, and fet forth in the various modes of workmanship from the earleft times down to the fixteenth cen tury. The Weft entrance, which is a large fquare tower with an arch way in the centre, has before it a portion of a centrical pier to a two-arched bridge croffing the fofs into the entrance here fpecified. As on the right of this remnant bridge the fofs is feen, fo on the left is decried a headlong declivity preparing the hollow courfe for its termination in the fometimes agitated and whirlpooled fircam below. This an tient tient military confignment to a double death in raging cataracts (adverting to the time when the fofs was full of water), and rending precipices, refers us again to Goodrich caftle in the like method of fortification, followed more immediately at the entrance into either. A chafin here is alfo to be met with, but it is conftructed directly within the entrance; that at Goodrich being wholly without the work. From the demolished and hazardous accefs into the cafile by this pafs, I found it not either tafe of practicable to explore its particular parts, which, it is not impoffible, ere long, may be pali the curious determinations of any one, as there has been built near it lately a kiln, which receives at diferetion the ftones to be burnt for lime, either from the adjoining rocks or the bafement of this entrance tower, already much undermined by this fort of depredation. Surely, when the tower falls, will any one have the effrontery to lay the blame on Time, the ufual talking-horfe with our Antiquity dilapidators? Repairing to the Falt front of the cafile, I found the approach extremely eafy, being along a gentle rife: indeed, it is now the common entrance for all vifitants into this noble place. I perceived this entrance was well defended by three circular towers, one at an adjoining angle, and one on each fide of the gateway; and as I paffed under its arches I faw the portcullis groove, and the perforated perpendiculars in their fofhts, for cafting down millive weapons, or to accelerate the letting down or drawing up of the portcullis. Finding myfelf in the first court, I inftantly was made fufceptible to the noble appearance of the erections around; aud, notwithstanding much disfigurement was difcernible on every part, the principal arrangement of the court was very intelligible. On the left is the court front of that round tower (faced with a fquare wall) which, we have already hinted, was at an angle of the walls; on the right are the great kitchen and great hall, with intermediate apartinents between them; and directly before my pofition of view a circular tower fecuring the gateway to the fecond court. Before I furvey the interior of the tower at the angle aforefaid it will be proper to fay, that it has obtained the appellation of Martin's tower," from the deteftable regicide of that name*, who was confined here till his death after the Retioration of Charles II. The doorway, of primitive and remarkable form, to this tower being opened by my conductor, admition was had to the fir fory. where the most prominent features fhewed three loop-holes, which, in their extentions, gave fufticient room for feveral men at a time to difcharge their arrows, one holding his bow above another's, by means of the narrow openings being made adequate in height for that purpofe. Under this fiory is a cavity called "the Dungeon;" to give an infight into which, the floor has in molt parts been torn up. Much gloom pervaded the whole feece; and I, as my ufual impuls directed, was foon conveyed back to remote times, and to that time when the first defenders of this cattle flourished. In an infiant I found myfelf hemmed in with the archers who maintained this point of the walls. I faw their energetic attitudes, heard their twang of bows, their hum of fecurity, and the dying cries of the befiegers. Yet, in this hiftoric lapfe, I could not be informed by my comrades if the dark cell beneath was to contain their prifoners; their tongues were filent, but their fiery eyes fouling from beneath their iron brows frowned out, “forbear your illumed enquiries." And one of them being about to centre his bow directly againft my ruffled breast, my true ray of vifion returned; and I found my conductor then holding me from precipitating myself into the very abyfs that had at my first entrance caufed me to much terror. I next afcended a circular ftaircafe to the second story, confifting of one large chamber, and a finall retiring clofet. This was the confine for Martin (his domefticks dwelling on the floor above), having two bowerwindows, the largest of which looked into the court; the other, with two loop-hole windows, had a view of the river and town of Chepflow. Two compartmented chimney pieces alfo had their fhare of decora tion, and on the whole gave a very good fpecimen of antient accommo dation, meaning long before the Regi cide had contaminated it. Half way up the fairs leading to the third story is a fmall but elegant oratory, with three windows, a chimney picce, holy water niche, and fite of the altar. The roof Gent. Mag. vol. LXXI. p. 204. and a and floor were deftroyed; when look- The remains of the walls of Chepflow town are only to be met with on the North and Weft fides thereof, in whofe line are two circular towers, and one gateway. This gateway enters the walls at the junction of the roads from Monmouth and Newport; in its form fimplicity prevails, and the proportions of the archway are very correct. One or two antient buildings ftand on each fide of the High-ftreet; but they are either converted into ftables, or forehouses, the ufual lot of fuch-like fructures out of habitable ute, or religious worship; fiructures endeared to us Antiquity lovers, by their historic inference, and their rare fpecimens of arches, columns, groins, &c. &c. Why are they not proclaimed by their poffeffors, and fhewed forth us treafures worthy the eye of Travellers, either profeffional or touriftical? Why indeed! their callous poleffors think them unworthy of public notice. The Profeffionalifts are too vain and confident of their alien acquirements from the "Grecian" or the Roman modes of architecture, to condefcend to felect from fuch national trials of skill. And the Tourifis, bent on' the elegance of modern refinement and hofpitable receptions (I do not include in the many at this time the writers of tours), can never turn their attention to thofe particulars, which have, within their dank and five-degraded boundaries, no fparks to guide them to finecurepatronage, or banquet domes, through the aqueducts of grofs flattery or fervile pufillanimity. The Church. This edifice owes its origin to the Saxon ftyle: a large archway at the Weft front, a fmaller one in the North porch, and the uprights in the interior, fufficiently convince us that high tafte directed its firft completion. Ages paffing on have introduced other modes on the various parts of the fabrick; and the laft alteration (a few years back) on the Weft front has made a vile mockery of all the preceding attempts, in a ridiculous farrago patched on by fome conceited country mafon, whole habits as an Architect seem to have been fquared by the theoretical dreamings of amateur fcribes, who may have at times prefumed to fet in competition unpractical propofitions with the actual furveys of those who hold up to England's fons the architectural glory of their ancestors. But, no more of this-The moment fuits |