The first book of architecture, by Andrea Palladio. Translated out of Italian: with an appendix touching doors and windows, by Dr Le Muet architect to the French King: translated out of French by G.R. Also rules and demonstrations, with several designs for the framing of any manner of roofs either above pitch or under pitch, whether square or bevel, never published before. With designes of floors of variety of small pieces of wood, lately made in the pallace of the Queen Mother, at Sommerset-House; a curiosity never practiced in England before.

CHAP. XII. Of the Five Orders used by the Ancients.

FIve were the Orders among the Ancients, that is to say, the Tuscan, Dorick, Ionick, Corinthian, and Composita, which ought to be so disposed in the building, that the strongest be set lowest; for then 'twill be more capable to bear the weight, and the building will have a more sure foundation: Wherefore they alwayes place the Dorick under the Ionick, the Ionick under the Corinthian, and the Corinthian under the Composita; the Tuscan, as being rude, seldom is used above ground, unlesse in a building of one order onely, as in Town-houses, or in vast build∣ings, as Amphitheaters and such like, where being many orders, this instead of the Dorick is placed under the Ionick; and if you leave out one of them, and place, for example, the Corinthian im∣mediately over the Dorick, which may be done according to the Rule aforesaid, provided alwayes, that the more solid be the lowest. I shall set down, particularly, the measures of each of these Orders; not so much according to the Doctrine of Vitru∣vius, as according to my own observations in Ancient buildings; But first I shall say those things which belong to all in general.