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. XLIII. Of Staire-Cases, and their divers man∣ners, and the numbers and great∣nesse of their Steps.

THere ought to be great care taken in the well placing the Stair-Case; for there is not a little difficulty to find a place convenient, so as the Stairs may be distributed without preju∣dice or hindrance to the rest of the Building; 'Tis therefore that ordinarily they are placed in the corner of the Building, or on the wings, or in the middle of the front, which is but seldom, unlesse it be in great Buildings; because much of the Stone-work will be hindred by reason of the Staires being in the middle, unlesse the house be double.

There are three openings necessary to the least Staire-Case, the first is the doore-way that leads to them, which is the better when it is spatious, and pleaseth me most if it be in such a place where, before one approacheth, one may see the best part of the house: for although the house be little, by this meanes it appear∣eth much larger; neverthelesse it behoves that the said Doro∣way be obvious and easie to be found.

The second opening is that of the Windowes, which are need∣ful to give light to the Staires, and when there is but one, let it be in the middle as near as you can, to the end that all the Staire-Case may be inlightned.

The third opening is the landing place, by which we are to enter into the Roomes above, and ought to lead to places large, faire, and well adorned.

Staires will be well made, if they be spacious, light, and easie, so as they may invite people to go up.

They will be lightsome when they have a perfect light, that disperseth it self to all parts equally.

They are spacious when they appear not little, nor narrow in respect of the bignesse and quality of the Fabrick; but they must never be narrower then four foot; to the end, that if two persons meet, they may commodiously passe one by the other; They may be made of five or six foot, or seven and half, and to great Buildings unto ten or twelve foot broad to every flight, and they must be made as commodious as possibly you can.