The Designs follow.
Hitherto, upon what occasion Stoneheng built (you may easily perceive) is very doubtfull, the true History of those times, when first erected, and by which the memory of things especially made over to succeeding Ages, being either not written, or if written, utterly lost. Likewise, as for what use set up, not yet known; so, by whom also founded, is equally uncertain.
You cannot but remember, in what manner the ancient Inhabitants of this Island lived, before reduced to civility by the Romans I have formerly delivered: also, how they were first instructed by them, in severall Arts and Sciences, whereof the Britans wholly ignorant, before the Romans arrivall here, and teaching them. I have given you in like manner, a full description of this Antiquity, whereby doubtlesse it appears to you, as in truth it is, a work built with much Art, Order and Proportion. That the ancient Britans, before the discovery of this Island by the Romans, could not be the Founders thereof, by the former reasons, I suppose, is clearly manifested. For, where Art is not, nothing can be performed by Art. As, for that which concerns the British Nobility, Aurelius Ambrosius, or Boadicia, enough already.
It rests now, to endeavor the discovering by whom Stoneheng built; in what time, and, for what use anciently erected. But, it is not expected (I hope) any absolute resolution should be given by me, in so doubtfull a matter; for, as it hath been always lawfull for every man in such like matters (saith Camden) both to think what he will, and relate what others have thought: So pardon me, if I take upon me, what others have done before me, and interpose mine own opinion also, grounded neverthelesse upon such Authorities, customes, and concurrence of time, as very probably may satisfie judicious and impartiall Readers.
Touching the Founders of Stoneheng. Among the Ægyptian Antiquities, or those Eastern Nations from whom the Græcians deduced their learning, I find not any such composure ever used: or with the Greeks themselves, mention made of any work conformable to this, in point of Order, (as the mod conversant in those Histories cannot contradict) I read neverthelesse, in Pausanias,Pausan. fo. 392. of a Temple amongst the Eleans erected without walls: novam quandam in Eleorum foro templi formam vidi. I saw (saith he) in the market place of the Eleans, a Temple of a new form. Modicæ est ædes altitudinis, sine parietibus, tectum è quercu dolatis fulcientibus tibicinibus. A low thing, without walls, having the roof supported with props of oaken timber (instead, it seems, of Columnes) neatly wrought. He remembers a Temple also in AtticaIdem fo. 75: sacred to Jove without a roof. The Thracians (as I read likewise) used to build Temples dedicated to Sol, of a round form, open in the middle, and also without a roof: by the form, or roundnesse thereof, they signified the Suns figure; by making them open, and rooflesse, they expressed his surmounting, and dilating light equally to all things. Thraces soli rotunda templa faciebant (saith Daniel Barbaro)In Vitr. lib. 4. in medio sub divo, & aperta erant: hac forma Solis figuram innuebant: quòd autem aperta essent, & sine tecto, innuebant Solem supra omnia esse, & lumen suum diffundere.
Howsoever, considering what magnificence the Romans in prosperous times anciently used in all works, both publick, and private: their knowledge and experience in all Arts and Sciences: their powerfull means for effecting great works: together with their Order in building, and manner of workmanship accustomed amongst them: Stoneheng in my judgement was a work, built by the Romans, and they the sole Founders thereof. For, if look upon this Antiquity, as an admired and magnificent building, who more magnificent then the Romans?Scamoz. lib. 1. fo. 9. Essi soli frà i populi dell’ vniverso, con ogni termine di magnificenza edificarono tutti i generi d’edifici. They only amongst all the Nations of the Universe, erecting all sorts of buildings, with all kinds of magnificence, saith Scamozzo in the first Book of his Architecture. If consider the Art, and elegant disposition thereof, all Arts and Sciences (we must know) were in full perfection with them, and Architecture, which amongst the Greeks was youthfull only, and vigorous; under the Romans their Empire grown to the full height became manly and perfect, not in inventions, and elegancy of forms alone, but also in exquisitenesse of Art, and excellency of materials. Salito al colmo l’imperio Romano, ella pure divenne virile e perfetta: non solo nelle inventioni, e nella elleganza delle forme, mà parimente nell’ esquisitezza dell’ artificio, e nella singolarità della materia. As the same Author hath it. If take notice of their power and ways by which they effected such goodly structures, their means were not ordinary according to the common custome of other People; and why? because, besides particular Artisans practised in severall Arts, they employed in those their works whole bodies of their own Armies, and whatever Nations subdued by them. The Romans were wont to exercise therein (saith Camden)Camden fo. 64. their Souldiers, and the common multitude, upon great policy doing the same, left being idle they should grow factious, and affect alteration in the State. The Britans complained (saith Tacitus likewise) corpora & manus contrivisse, that their bodies and hands were worn out, and consumed by the Romans, in bringing to effect their great and admired undertakings: in that kind employing their slaves and prisoners also, as holding it, rather then by violent deaths to cut them off; more profitable for the Commonwealth, more exemplary for others, and far greater punishment for their Prisoners, to enjoyn them continuall labour.
If observe their Order in building; the only Order of Architecture, which Italy may truly glory in the invention of, is the Tuscane Order, so called, because first found out by the Tuscans, that in a more then ordinary manner they might reverence their Deities in Temples composed thereof.Choul. fo. 5. (Janus their first King, according to the common opinion of divers ancient Historians, being the first of all others, that built Temples to the Gods) Which Order, though first used by the Tuscans, certain it is, the Romans took from them, and brought it in use with other Arts, in severall parts of the world, as their conquests led them on. Now of this Tuscan Order, a plain, grave, and humble manner of Building, very solid and strong Stoneheng principally consists. So that, observing the Order whereof Stoneheng built, there being no such Elements known in this Island as distinct Orders of Architecture, untill the Romans introduced them, the very work it self, of so great Antiquity, declares the Romans Founders thereof. Who, that hath right judgement in Architecture, knows not the difference, and by the manner of their works how to distinguish Ægyptian, Greek, and Roman structures of old, also Italian, French and Dutch buildings in these modern times? Is not our Shipping by the mould thereof, known throughout the world English built? Who did not by the very Order of the work, assure himself, the body of the Church of S. Paul London, from its Tower to the West end anciently built by the Saxons: as the Quire thereof, from the said Tower to the East end by the Normans, it being Gothick work? yet that there might be a Roman Temple in old time standing in that place, I will not deny, the numbers of Oxeheads digged up and anciently sacrificed there, setting all other reasons aside, so probably manifesting the same. And in all likelihood, the Romans for so notable a structure as Stoneheng, made choice of the Tuscane rather then any other Order, not only as best agreeing with the rude, plain, simple nature of those they intended to instruct, and use for which erected; but also, because presuming to challenge a certain kind of propriety therein, they might take occasion thereby, to magnifie to those then living the virtue of their Auncestors for so noble an invention, and make themselves the more renowned to posterity, for erecting thereof, so well ordred a building.