T hath been said that all Buildings have three Parts, which may be different according to the divers Order, viz. The Pillars, the Piedements, and the Chambranles, or Door-Cases; and that the Pillars had three Parts, which are the Pedestal, the Shaft, and its Ornaments, viz. The Architrave, the Frise and the Cornice.
Neither the Proportion of the Pedestals, nor of the Gates and Chambranles of the Thuscan Order are to be found in Vitruvius.
Lib. 4.
Chap. 7. The Proportion of the Pillar is this, that its thickness below is the 7th part of its height, it’s Diminution is the 4th part of the Diameter of the Pillar, its Base has half of the Diameter of the Pillar for its height, the Plinthus being round, makes one half of the Base; the other half is for the Thorus, and for the Conge or Apophygis, Vid. Conge explained.
The height of the Capital is half the Diameter of the Pillar, the breadth of the Abacus is equal to the whole Diameter of the Pillar at the bottom, the height of the Capital is divided into three Parts; one of them is allowed the Plinthus, which serves instead of an Abacus; the Echine hath another; and a third Part is for the Gorge of the Capital comprehending the Astragal, the Conge, or Apophygis, which are immediately under the Echine.
Upon the Pillars must be laid the Sabliers, or Wooden Architrave, joyned together by Tenons, in the form of a Swallows Tail.
These Sabliers ought to be distant one from another about an Inch; for if they should touch one another, the Timber would heat and corrupt.
Upon these Sabliers which serve for an Architrave, must be built a little Wall, which will serve instead of a Frise.
The Cornice which is laid upon this little Wall or Frise, has Mutal’s which jet out.
All the Crowning should have the 4th part of the height of the Pillar. The little Walls that are built between the ends of the Beams which rest upon the Pillars, must be garnished and covered with Boards, which must be nailed upon the ends of the Beams.
The Piedement, which may be either of Stone or Wood, and which must support the Faistag or Top, the Forces, and the Pans, has a particular Proportion; for it must be much raised to give it a sufficient sloping for the running of the Water. See [Tab. V.]