The art of fair building represented in the figures of several uprights of houses, with their ground-plots, fitting for persons of several qualities : wherein is divided each room and office according to their most convenient occasion, with their heights, depths, lengths, and breadths according to proportion : with rules and directions for the placing of the doors, vvindows, chimnies, beds, stairs, and other conveniencies ... : also a description of the names and proportions of the members belonging to the framing of the timber-work, with directions and examples for the placing of them / by Pierre Le Muet ... ; published in English by Robert Pricke ...

As concerning the pleasantness and conveniency, it must be observed

That the Appartments or divers Rooms be placed the one next to the other, according to the necessity or use which they have the one of the other, and yet not encumbred one with the other, or as little as may be possibly.

That the principal Rooms, as the Halls and chiefest Chambers, be accompanied with a Wardrobe, and also with a Closet, if it may be.

That the Rooms of the same story be placed even with each other, as far as may be possible.

That every Room be of a largeness convenient for the service for which you have intended it. And to effect this, it will be convenient, in places where you are not otherwise compelled, to observe the Mea∣sures following.

The Hall shall have from twenty two to twenty four feet of bredth, for which cause we may allow from thirty four to thirty six feet of length. But in great buildings it will be convenient to allow for the length twice the bredth. And when there shall be made Necessary rooms or Cellars under ground, it will be convenient to allow them about eight, nine, or ten feet under the Joysts, or from nine to ten feet under the Crown of the Arch of the Vaults in depth.

The height of the first story, upon the lengths and bredths aforementioned for the Halls, may be from thirteen to fourteen feet, and you shall augment it according to the same proportion, when you shall allow more for the length and bredth of the Hall.

For the height of the second story, it will be convenient to allow to it from twelve to thirteen feet un∣der the Joysts.

To the third story from eleven to twelve feet.

And if one would make Chambers in the Garrets, whether it be in the third or fourth story, it will suf∣fice to allow them eight or nine feet of height.

For the Chambers, they shall have twenty two or twenty four feet: and it is always necessary that they be square.

In the framing of the Chambers one must have a regard for the placing of the Bed, which is ordinarily about six feet square, and the space between the bed and the wall from four to six feet; as also for the situation of the Chimney, the which in consideration hereof ought not to be situate just in the midst, but distant therefrom about two feet, whereby place may be allowed for the Bed, and by this means the Inequality is less perceived.

The lesser Wardrobe shall have in largeness from nine to ten feet, and having more room, from fifteen to sixteen feet.

The doors within the Lodging shall have two feet and an half of bredth, and three feet at the most, in great buildings four feet.

Their height shall be from six feet and an half to seven feet.

The Gates for the Coaches shall have seven feet and an half at least of breadth, when you are compel∣led thereto; and from eight to nine, when nothing constraineth you. The heighth shall be of one breadth and an half; but when you shall have the heighth at your pleasure, it will be convenient to allow to it the double of the breadth.

The Stair-case shall have from eleven to twelve feet of breadth; but (being confined) nine feet shall serve.

The heighth of the Steps shall be from five inches and an half to six inches.

The breadth of the Step shall be one foot besides the Projector, the which may be of two inches or thereabout.

And it must be observed, that where it shall be convenient to make the Steps in turning, we can make no more then ten in the half circle, which are five in the quarter of the circle. And if the breadth of the Stair-case come to eighteen feet more or less, one may make about twelve steps in the half circle.

The Windows shall have opening from four feet to four feet and an half between the two Jaums.

For their heights, they shall reach as near to the Planchers or Joysts as can be made, about six, eight, ten, and twelve inches at the most. For by these means the Halls or Chambers are the better enlighten∣ed, and doing otherwise they will be darkish and sad.

But if the manner of the building outward should compell to make the top of the Window lower then the measure aforesaid; in this case you must make the inside of it with a back arch or bowing towards the Plancher or boarded floor, to the end that it may be enlightened the more thereby.

The Upholders of the Windows shall have from two feet eight inches unto three feet at most.

The Transoms or Cross-bars of the Windows shall have the thickness from four to five inches.

Their Leaf-works shall be from one inch and an half to two inches at the most, that the more strength may be kept in the hinder part of them, and that the Frames and Borders of wood, which bear the Shuts or Joyners work to make fast the Windows, may have convenient strength.

The Jaums of the Windows shall be strongly fastened, and have Projectors about two inches at least, that the Joyners work may be fastened against the walls, and within the said Leaves; and it would be needful, that the first Leaves should be framed after the length of the Shutters in; for by this means they cause less hinderance, and afford more clearness. And this rule concerneth as well the durableness, as the pleasantness and conveniency.

The Chimnies of the Halls shall have within the Work from six to seven feet between the two sides, and it will be good to make the Funnels of them between the thickness of the Wall, if it be wholly yours; if not, they shall be backed over again, in places where they may correspond with those of the Chambers, the which will be distant but very little from the middest, as it hath been said: and if it be possible, you must make the Chimny to be seen in the front by him that shall enter into the Hall.

The height shall be between four and five feet, reaching unto the Tossels or Bend of the Mantle-tree. The Provector of the Jaums shall be between two feet and an half to three feet from the Walls to the outside of the Mantle-tree.

The Jaums or sides of the Chimnies shall have between seven and nine inches of thickness at the most, according to the manner of Arcitecture, by which one shall desire to set them out.

The Chimneys of the Chambers shall have in breadth five feet, or five and an half, and shall be placed as aforesaid, in respect of the place of the Bed.

Their height shall be four feet, or four and an half, unto the Mantle-tree and Flat-bands.

Their Provecture shall be from two feet to two and an half, from the back of the Chimney unto the fore part of the sides or Jaums.

The Chimneys in the Wardrobe shall be four feet, or four and an half, broad.

Their height from four to five feet reaching under the Mantle-tree.

The Provecture two feet three inches.

The opening of the Chimnies generally shall have between eleven and twelve inches at the top of the Funnel; and for the Chimneys of great Kitchens fifteen inches, in respect of the great Fires which are made there; and they shall be brought up as streight as may be possible, because that for want of so doing one may be often times troubled with smoke.

Their length shall be between four and six feet, if the Chimneys have six feet below within the work; they shall be lessened within their Mantle-trees by the slopings of their lower parts, and their Funels shall be drawn by a Plumet.

The sloping or bending within the Chimneys, otherwise called the Tossel or first bending, beginneth from the Mantle-tree and reacheth unto the Plancher or Seeling.