In places where there are no Piedements, in the great Cymatiums of the Cornices, must be cut the Heads of Lions, at such a distance, that there must be one directly upon every Pillar, and that the other answer directly upon the great Dalles, that cover the House. These Heads of Lions are pierced through to convey the Water which falls from the Roof upon the Cornice: The Heads of the Lions which are not directly upon the Pillars, ought not to be pierced, to the end the Water may flow with the greater impetuosity through those which are directly upon the Pillars, and that it may not fall between the Pillars upon those who are to go into the Portico’s.
The Greeks in their great Buildings never put any Dentels under the Modillons, because the Rafters could not be under the Forces, or Sheers, and it is a great fault that That, which according to the true Rules of Building ought to be placed above, should be placed under in the Representation.
For this Reason, the Ancients never approved of Modillons in the Piedements, nor of Dentels, but only simple Cornices; for neither the Forces, Sheers, nor the Rafters can be represented in the Piedements, out of which they cannot jet but only directly out of the Eaves of the House upon which they lie sloping.
The Acroteres are three Pedestals, which are upon the Corners and Middle of the Piedement to support Statues; those of the Corner ought to be as high as the Middle of the Tympan; but the Acrotere in the middle ought to be higher by an 8th part than the other.
All the Members or Parts which shall be placed upon the Capitals of Pillars, viz. Architraves, Frises, Cornices, Tympans, and Acroteres, should encline forward the 12th part of their height.
There is likewise another General Rule; which is, that all the parts that jet out, should have their Projecture equal to their Height.
ART. V.
Of the Thuscan Order.
