endeavoured to do, so as to make the publication useful, not only to Students in Architecture, but also to Engineers, Masons, Carpenters, Carvers, Designers, Measurers, and all other persons concerned in the execution of buildings, and their several component parts. Such work men, therefore, as aspire to any degree of superiority and taste in either of these branches, will be able from hence, by im proving their leisure hours, in a short time to understand the principles of their respective occupations, and to do with taste and pleasure, what they now only do mechanically, and in servile imitation of others.

In the course of the work will be given whatever the experience of the most judicious professors has sanctioned as the best mode of effecting their professional purposes; with the reasons on which that

preference is founded. To this will be added examples, both of Grecian and Roman antiquities; with comparisons be tween them, and remarks on the beauties of each. Simple, and hitherto unprac tised rules will be laid down for project. ing leaves, volutes, and every other spe cies of ornament; particular attention will be paid to the theory of shadows, both from direct and reflected light, and examples adduced of the relative degrees of light and shade on different surfaces, variously inclined to the luminary and the eye. It is no necessary part of the author's plan, to give original designs for buildings; a few, however, will be added, to exemplify the rules laid down, and to assist the student in this part of his labour.

In this Volume, the PRINCIPLES only are laid down. The GEOMETRICAL part is first attended to; and from the

result

น

result of the theory of Geometry, a select set of problems are drawn up, many of which are entirely new, and all intimately connected with the subject in hand. They are disposed in methodical order, and are preceded by the necessary definitions.

It is not intended by this part, wholly to set aside the study of Euclid, and authors who have written on Conic Sections. An attentive perusal of their works will always amply repay the student's trouble. I have, I believe, omitted nothing material, that was connected with my design: but when the vast importance and utility of Geometry are considered, the student will never regret any pains he may take to make himself thoroughly master of every part of it.

The elegance and utility of the Ellipsis occasioning it to be introduced into

almost every species of building, I have paid particular attention to this curve; the problems relating to which, will be found particularly useful in describing elliptical and Gothic arches, finding their joints, and describing mouldings of every degree of curvature. That the reader may more perfectly understand its construction, I have shown how to draw it under various circumstances; which I have also done with regard to Conic Sections in general. The Sections of Solids are also particularly treated of; a thorough acquaintance with them being absolutely necessary for understanding the theory and disposition of Shadows: in explaining which, I flatter myself this work will be found to exceed every other hitherto published.

Number, as well as magnitude, being 'concerned in Architecture, ARITHME

VOL. I.

b

TIC

TIC follows next. The importance of this in forming estimates, both of materials and expence, in giving rules for measuring, and fixing a price on work, &c. is sufficiently obvious. Here I have endeavoured to be as concise and clear as the nature of the subject will admit. All operations purely arithmetical, being ei ther an application singly of the four primary rules (viz. Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division), or else compounded of them, care has been taken to define the terms clearly, and to give the proper axioms under their respective heads.

In stating questions in Proportion, whether simple, inverse, or compound, I have shown a more general and easy, as well as a more rational method than has hitherto been made known, by taking together all the component parts of the