Reliquiae Wottonianae, or, A collection of lives, letters, poems with characters of sundry personages : and other incomparable pieces of language and art : also additional letters to several persons, not before printed / by the curious pencil of the ever memorable Sir Henry Wottan ...

Of Chimnies.

IN the present business, Italians (who make very frugal fires, are perchance not the best Coun∣sellers.) Therefore from them we may better •…•…earn, both how to raise fair Mantels within the rooms, and how to disguise gracefully the shafts of Chimnies abroad (as they use) in sundry forms, (which I shall handle in the latter part of my Labour) and the rest I will extract from Phi∣lippe de l'Orme; in this part of his Work more dili∣gent, then in any other; or, to do him right, then any man else.

First, he observeth very soberly, that who in the disposition of any Building will consider the nature of the Region, and the Winds that ordinarily blow from this, or that Quarter; might so cast the rooms which shall most need fire, that he should little fear the incommodity of Smoke: and there∣fore he thinks that inconvenience, for the most part, to proceed from some inconsiderate begin∣ning. Or if the errour lay not in the Disposition, but in the Structure it self; then he makes a Logical enquiry, That either the Wind is too much let in

above, at the mouth of the Shaft, or the Smoke sti∣fled below: If none of these, Then there is a re∣pulsion of the Fume, by some higher Hill or Fa∣brick, that shall overtop the Chimney, and wor•…•… the former effect: If likewise not this, Then 〈◊〉〈◊〉 concludes, that the Room which is infested, mu•…•… be necessarily both little and close, so as the smo•…•… cannot issue by a natural Principle, wanting a su•…•…∣cession and supply of new Air.

Now, in these cases he suggesteth divers Artifi∣cial Remedies, of which I will allow one a litt•…•… Description, because it savoureth of Phylosophy, and was touched by Vitruvius himself, lib. 1. cap. 6. b•…•… by this man ingeniously applyed to the present use. He will have us provide two hollow brass Balls o•…•… reasonable capacity, with little holes open i•…•… both, for reception of Water, when the Air sha•…•… be first sucked out; One of these we must pla•…•… with the hole upwards, upon an iron Wire, th•…•… shall traverse the Chimney, a little above the M•…•…∣tel, at the ordinary height of the sharpest heat 〈◊〉〈◊〉 flames, whereof the Water within being rarified and by rarifaction resolved into Wind, will bre•…•… out, and so force up the smoke, which otherwi•…•… might linger in the Tunnel, by the way, and often∣times revert; With the other, (saith he) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 may supply the place of the former, when it is ex∣hausted; or for a need blow the Fire in the me•…•… while: Which Invention I have interposed fo•…•… some little entertainment of the Reader; I wi•…•… conclude with a note from Palladio, who observe•…•… that the Ancients did warm their Rooms with cer∣tain secret Pipes that came through the Walls transporting heat (as I conceive it) to sundry parts of the House from one common Furnace; I

am ready to baptize them Cali ducts, as well as they are termed Venti-ducts, and Aquae-ducts, that convey Wind and Water; which whether it were a custome or a delicacy, was surely both for thrift, and for use, far beyond the German Stoves; And I should prefer it likewise before our own fashion, if the very sight of a fire did not adde to the Room a kind of Reputation, * 1.1 as old Homer doth teach us in a verse, sufficient to prove that himself was not blind, as some would lay to his charge.

Touching Conducts for the Suillage, and other necessities of the House, (which how base soever in use, yet for health of the inhabitants, are as considerable, and perhaps more then the rest) I find in our Authors, this Counsel; That Art should imitate Nature, in those ignoble convey∣ances; and separate them from Sight, (where there wants a running Water) into the most re∣mote, and lowest, and thickest part of the Foun∣dation; with secret vents passing up through the Walls like a Tunnel, to the wilde Air aloft: which all Italian Artizans commend for the discharge of noysome vapours, though else-where, to my knowledge, little practised.

Thus having considered the precedent Apertions, or Overtures in severalty, according to their parti∣cular Requisites, I am now come to the casting and Contexture of the whole Work, comprehended un∣der the term of Compartition: Into which (being the mainest piece) I cannot enter without a few general Precautions, as I have done in other Parts.

First therefore, Let no man that intendeth to

build, settle his Fancy upon a draught of the Work in paper, how exactly soever measured, or neatly set off in perspective; And much less upon a bare Plant thereof, as they call the Sciographia or Ground lines; without a Model or Type of the whole Stru∣cture, and of every parcel and Partition in Past∣board or Wood.

Next, that the said Model be as plain as may be, without colours, or other beautifying, lest the pleasure of the Eye preoccupate the Judgement; which advice, omitted by the Italian Architécts, I find in Philippe de l'Orme; and therefore (though France be not the Theater of best buildings) it did merit some mention of his name.

Lastly, the bigger that this Type be, it is still the better, not that I will perswade a man to such an enormity, as that Model made by Antonio Labaco, of St. Peters Church in Rome, containing 22 foot in length, 16 in breadth, and 13 in heighth, and costing 4184 Crowns: The price, in truth, of a reasonable Chappel: Yet in a Fabrick of some 40 or 50 thousand pounds charge, I wish 30 pounds at least laid out before hand in an exact Model; for a little misery in the Premises, may easily breed some absurdity of greater charge, in the Con∣clusion.

Now, after these premonishments I will come to the Compartition it self, By which, the Authors of this Art (as hath been touched before) do under∣stand, a gracefull, and usefull distribution, of the whole Ground-plot, both for rooms of Office, and of Reception or Entertainment, as far as the Capacity thereof, and the nature of the Countrey will com∣port. Which circumstances in the present subject, are all of main consideration, and might yield more

discourse then an Elemental Rapsodie will permit. Therefore (to anatomize briefly this Definition) the Gracefulness (whereof we speak) will consist in double Analogy, or correspondency. First be∣tween the Parts and the whole, whereby a great Fa∣brick should have great Partitions, great Lights, great Entrances, great Pillars or Pylasters: In summe, all the Members great. The next between the Parts themselves, not only, considering their breadths, and lengths, as before when we spake of Doors and Windows; but here likewise enters a third respect of Height, a point (I must confess) hardly reducea∣ble to any general precept.

True it is, that the Ancients did determine the Longitude of all Rooms, which were longer then broad, by the double of their Latitude, Vitruvius lib. 6. cap. 5. And the Heighth by the half of the breadth and length summed together. But when the Room was precisely square, they made the Height half as much more as the Latitude; which Dimensions the Modern Architects have taken leave to vary, upon discretion: Sometimes squaring the Latitude, and then making the Diagonial or over∣thwart Line, from Angle to Angle, of the said Square; the measure of the Heighth sometimes more, but seldome lower then the full breadth it self; which boldness of quitting the old Proporti∣ons, some attribute first to Michael Angele da Buona∣roti, perchance upon the credit he had before got∣ten in two other Arts.

The second Point is Usefulness, which will consist in a sufficient Number of Rooms, of all sorts, and in their apt Coherence, without distraction, without confusion; so as the beholder may not only call it Una Fabrica ben raccolta, as Italians use to speak of

well united Works; but likewise, that it may ap∣pear airy and spiritous, and fit for the welcome of chearfull Guests; about which the principal Diffi∣culty will be in contriving the Lights, and Stair-cases, whereof I will touch a note or two: For the first, I observe that the ancient Architects were at much ease. For both the Greeks and Romans (of whose private dwellings Vitruvius hath left us some description) had commonly two cloistered open Courts, one serving for the Womens side, and the other for the Men; who yet perchance now adays would take so much separation unkindly. How∣soever by this means, the reception of Light into the Body of the building, was very prompt, both from without and from within: which we must now supply either by some open Form of the Fa∣brick, or among gracefull refuges, by Tarrasing any Story which is in danger of darkness; or last∣ly, by perpendicular Lights from the Roof, of all other the most natural, as shall be shewed anon. For the second Difficulty, which is casting of the Stair-cases; That being in it self no hard point, but only as they are incumbrances of room for other use, (which lights were not) I am therefore aptly moved here to speak of them. And first of Offices.

I have marked a willingness in the Italian Arti∣zans, to distribute the Kitchin, Pantry, Bakehouse, washing Rooms: and even the Buttery likewise, un∣der ground, next above the Foundation, and some∣times level with the plain, or Floor of the Cellar: raising the first Ascent into the house Fifteen Foot, or more, for that End; which besides the benefit of removing such annoies out of sight, and the gaining of so much more room above, doth also

by elevation of the Front adde Majesty to the whole Aspect. And with such a disposition of the princi∣pal Stair-case, which commonly doth deliver us in∣to the Plain of the second Story, there may be won∣ders done with a little room, whereof I could alledge brave Examples abroad; and none more Artificial and Delicious, then a House built by Daniele Barbaro Patriarch of Aquileia, before men∣tioned among the memorable Commenters upon Vi∣truvius. But the Definition (above determined) doth call us to some consideration of our own Countrey; where though all the other petty Offi∣ces (before rehearsed) may well enough be so re∣mote, yet by the natural Hospitality of England, the Buttery must be more visible, and we need per∣chance for our Raunges, a more spacious and lumi∣nous Kitchin then the foresaid Compartition will bear; with a more competent nearness likewise to the Dining-Room, or else besides other Inconveni∣ences, perhaps some of the Dishes may straggle by the way. Here let me note a common defect, that we have of a very usefull Room, called by the Itali∣ans, Il Tinello; and familiar, nay almost essential, in all their great Families. It is a place properly appointed to conserve the meat that is taken from the Table, till the Waiters eat, which with us by an old fashion, is more unseemly set by in the mean while.

Now touching the distribution of Lodging-Chambers; I must here take leave to reprove a fa∣shion, which I know not how, hath prevailed through Italy, though without ancient examples, as far as I can perceive by Vitruvius. The thing I mean, is, that they so cast their partitions, as when all Doors are open, a man may see through the

vvhole House, vvhich doth necessarily put an into∣lerable servitude upon all the Chambers save the Inmost, vvhere none can arrive but through the rest; or else the Walls must be extream thick for se∣cret passages. And yet this also vvill not serve the turn, vvithout at least Three doors to every Room: A thing most insufferable in cold and vvindy Regi∣ons, and every vvhere no small vveakening to the vvhole Work: Therefore vvith us that vvant no cooling, I cannot commend the direct opposition of such Overtures, being indeed meerly grounded upon the fond ambition of displaying to a Stranger all our Furniture at one Sight, vvhich therefore is most maintained by them that mean to harbour but a few; vvhereby they make only advantage of the vanity, and seldome prove the Inconvenience. There is likevvise another defect (as absurdities are sel∣dome solitary) vvhich vvill necessarily follow up∣on such a servile disposing of inward Chambers; That they must be forced to make as many common great Rooms, as there shall be several Stories; vvhich (besides that they are usually dark, a point hardly avoided, running as they do, through the middle of the vvhole House) do like∣wise devour so much Place, that thereby they vvant other Galleries, and Rooms of Retreat, vvhich I have often considered among them (I must con∣fess) vvith no small vvonder; for I observe no Nation in the World, by nature more private and reserved, then the Italian; and on the other side, in no Habitations less privacy; so there is a kind of Conflict between their Dwelling and their Being: It might here perchance be expected, that I should at least describe (which others have done in draughts and designs) divers Forms of Plants and

Partitions, and varieties of Inventions; But specu∣lative Writers (as I am) are not bound to com∣prise all particular Cases vvithin the Latitude of the Subject vvhich they handle; General Lights, and Directions, and pointings at some faults, is suf∣ficient. The rest must be committed to the sagaci∣ty of the Architect, vvho vvill be often put to divers ingenious shifts, vvhen he is to vvrestle vvith scarcity of Ground. * 1.2 As sometimes * to damm one Room (though of special use) for the be∣nefit and beauty of all the rest; Another vvhile, to make those fairest, vvhich are most in Sight, and to leave the other (like a cunning Painter) in shadow, cum multis aliis, vvhich it vvere infinite to pursue. I vvill therefore close this part touching Compartition, as chearfully as I can, vvith a short description of a Feasting or entertaining Room, after the Aegyptian manner, vvho seem (at least till the time of Vi∣truvius) from the ancient Hebrews and Phoenicians (vvhence all knowledge did flow) to have retain∣ed vvith other Sciences, in a high degree, also the Principles, and practice of this magnificent Art. For as far as I may conjecture by our Masters Text, lib. 6. cap. 5. (vvhere as in many other places he hath tortured his Interpreters) there could no Form for such a Royal use be comparably imagined like that of the foresaid Nation, vvhich I shall adven∣ture to explain.

Let us conceive a Floor or Area of goodly length, (for example, at least of 120 Foot, with the breadth somewhat more then the half of the Longi∣tude, vvhereof the reason shall be afterwards ren∣dred. About the two longest Sides and Head of

the said Room shall run an Order of Pillars, which Palladio doth suppose Corinthian, (as I see by his de∣sign) supplying that point out of Greece, because vve know no Order proper to Aegypt. The Fourth Side I will leave free for the Entrance: On the foresaid Pillars was laid an Architrave, vvhich Vi∣truvius mentioneth alone: Palladio addes thereunto (and vvith reason) both Freez and Cornice, over vvhich vvent up a continued Wall, and therein half or three quarter Pillars answering directly to the Order below, but a fourth Part less; and be∣tween these half Columnes above, the vvhole Room vvas vvindowed round about.

Now, from the lowest Pillars there vvas laid over a Contignation or Floor born upon the out∣ward Wall, and the Head of the Columns vvith Tarrace and Pavement, Sub dio (saith our Master;) and so indeed he might safely determine the matter in Aegypt, vvhere they fear no Clouds: There∣fore Palladio, (vvho leaveth this Tarrace uncover∣ed in the middle, and ballised about) did per∣chance construe him rightly, though therein dis∣cording from others: Alwayes vve must under∣stand a sufficient breadth of Pavement left between the open part and the Windows, for some delight of Spectatours, that might look down into the Room: The Latitude I have supposed, contrary to some former Positions, a little more then the half of the length; because the Pillars standing at a compe∣tent distance from the outmost Wall, vvill, by in∣terception of the Sight, somewhat in appearance diminish the breadth; In vvhich cases, (as I have touched once or twice before) Discretion may be more licentious then Art. This is the description of an Aegyptian Room for Feasts and other Iollities.

About the Walls vvhereof vve must imagine entire Statues placed below, and illuminated by the de∣scending Light from the Tarrace, as likewise from the VVindows between the half Pillars above: So as this Room had abundant and advantageous Light; and besides other garnishing, must needs receive much State by the very height of the Roof, that lay over two Orders of Columns. And so having run through the four parts of my first general Division, namely, Foundations, VValls, Apertions, and Com∣partition, the House may now have leave to put on his Hat; having hitherto been uncovered it self, and consequently unfit to cover others. Which point, though it be the last of this Art in executi∣on, yet it is alwayes in Intention the first: For vvho vvould build but for Shelter? Therefore ob∣taining both the Place, and the dignity of a Final Cause, it hath been diligently handled by divers, but by none more learnedly then Bernardino Baldi Abbot of Guastalla (before cited upon other occa∣sion) vvho doth fundamentally, and Mathemati∣cally demonstrate the firmest Knittings of the upper Timbers, vvhich make the Roof. But it hath been rather my Scope, in these Elements, to fetch the ground of all from Nature her self, vvhich indeed is the simplest mother of Art. Therefore I will now only deliver a few of the properest, and (as I may say) of the naturallest considerations that belong to this remaining Piece.

There are two Extremities to be avoided in the Cover, or Roof: That it be not too heavy, nor too light. The first, vvill suffer a vulgar objection of pressing too much the under work. The other containeth a more secret inconvenience; for the Cover is not only a bare defence, but likewise a

kind of Band or Ligature to the vvhole Fabrick, and therefore vvould require some reasonable vveight. But of the two extreams, a House Top∣heavy is the vvorst. Next, there must be a care of Equality, that the Edifice be not pressed on the one side more then on the other; and here Palladio doth vvish (like a cautelous Artizan) that the inward Walls might bear some good share in the burthen, and the outward be the less charged.

Thirdly, the Italians are very precise in giving the Cover a gracefull pendence of sloapness, dividing the vvhole breadth into nine Parts; vvhereof two shall serve for the elevation of the highest Top or Ridge from the lowest. But in this Point the qua∣lity of the Region is considerable: For (as our Vi∣truvius insinuateth) those Climes that fear the fal∣ling and lying of much Snow, ought to provide more inclining Pentices: and Comeliness must yield to Necessity.

These are the usefullest Cautions vvhich I find in Authors, touching the last Head of our Division, vvherewith I vvill conclude the first Part of my present Travel. The second remaineth, concern∣ing Ornaments vvithin, or vvithout the Fabrick: A Piece not so dry as the meer Contemplation of Proportions. And therefore I hope therein some∣what to refresh both the Reader, and my self.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Hom. Epig.
• * 1.2

  The Italians call it una stanza dan∣nata, as when a Buttery is cast under a Stair-case, or the like.