The architecture of humanism; a study in the history of taste

196

THEARCHITECTURE OF HUMANISM

observationsuponoptics,andachapter

on

acoustics.

^Esthetic

distinctionsaredrawninthemannerof

the

Sophists,and

Greekwords

are

constantly

employed.

On the otherhand, the author's first-hand experi-

enceisno

lessobvious,especiallyinhisdetailed

direc-

tions formilitary

architecture. The

comprehensive

scope ofthebookanswersexactlytotheundiscrimi-

natingcuriosity,atoncepracticalandspeculative,

by

which inthe

sixteenth andseventeenth

centurythe

mind

ofEuropewasdevoured. Inandoutofa

vast

storeof

useful,practicaladviceuponconstruction

and

engineering

arewovenacomplacentmoralphilosophy,

somegeometry andastronomy, andagood dealof

mythical

history. WereadoftheSun'sCoursethrough

theTwelveSigns,

and

ofCtesiphon'sContrivancefor

Removing Great Weights.

The

account of the

origin

ofthe DoricOrderis"quotedbyJohnShute.

It is asimple

one:

'

Andimmediatelyafter

a

wittie

man named Dorus

(the sonne

of

Hellen

and Optix

the

Nymphe) invented and made the firste pillar

drawen to

perfection, and called it Dorica.' And

the

history of the Corinthian Order—a charming

fable—satisfied

even someofthe polished

criticsof

theeighteenth century.^

»

I

quotethisstory—likethelast—inShute'sEnglish:

• 
  

Afterthat,

inthe

citieofCorinthewasburiedacertainemaiden,afterwhose

burial

hernourishe (wholamentedmuchher death)knowingher

delightestohavebene

in

pretyecuppesandsuchelikeconceytsinher

lifetime,withmanyotherproperthingesappertayningeonelytothe

pleasureoftheeye,toke

them,

and

brake

them,andputtheminalittell

preatiebaskette,

anddidsettethe

basketonhergrave,andcovered