The second represents the Stories, their Heights, and the external Beauties and Appearances of the whole Building: this is ufually termed, by Surveyors, the Defign or Elevation. The third is commonly diftinguithed by the Section, and fhews the internal Parts of the Fabric. From these three diftinct Plans the Surveyor forms a Computation of the Charge of the whole Erection, and alfo of the Time wherein the fame may be compleated. In regard to civil Architecture, it is certain, that those Na-, tions which have no ftately and magnificent Buildings, in general, are always poor and uncivilized. As Land Structures and Edifices of every kind give Employment to prodigious Numbers of People, whatever has a Tendency to improve in the Art of Building, fhould be duly encouraged by those whose Fortunes and Rank will admit of it; and that not only for the Splendor and Magnificence of the State, but for the Promotion of useful Arts, as well as the Benefit of their landed Eftates: for this Art gives birth to the immenfe Confumption of Timber, Bricks, Stone and Mortar, Iron-work, &c. all which tend to the private Advantage of the landed Intereft; as does likewife the well-furnishing of those sumptuous Edifices when they are erected; which alfo gives daily Bread to an infinite Number of other Mechanics and Artificers. These mechanic Arts give Strength, Wealth, and Grandeur to a Nation, and gradually train up and fupport a conftant Race of practical Artifts and Manufacturers, who thereby become the great Inftruments of bringing Treasures into the State, by the Vent of our native Commodities to foreign Nations. Nor is it politic for the Great and Opulent to contemn Mechanics in general, as too many, perhaps, are wont to do. It is faid, that when the great Heraclitus's Scholars found him in a Mechanic's Shop, into which they were afhamed to enter, he told them, That the Gods were as converfant in fuch Places as others; intimating, that a divine Power and Wifdom might be difcerned in fuch common Arts, although they mistakenly over-looked and despised them. We know how the late Czar Peter efteemed and careffed Artificers and Mechanics of every Rank and Degree, and behold the extraordinary Effects of fuch Policy in that wife Prince! who, by thofe Meafures, has converted a Generation of Savages into Men. There are fome who are too great Encouragers of Build ings, they ruining themfelves, as well as the Workmen they employ, by gratifying that Itch beyond the Limits of their Fortunes. In confequence of this boundless Profufion, we too 04 frequently frequently fee, before the Expiration of half a Century, very ftately and magnificent Seats, which have coft immense Sums, run to Decay for want of being inhabited, or, according to a modern Cuftom, levelled to the Ground for Sale by Piecemeal: thus Structures that have coft fome hundred thousand Pounds Sterling, have not produced one twentieth part of the prime Coft to the Executors. So that with the Money funk in the Erection of thofe fuperb Edifices, and the Expence which attends the Support of them with Splendor equal to their Statelinefs, fome great Families have been reduced to great Indignity. This is a melancholy Confideration to the Proprietor, though this Practice gives Employment to Workmen, to whom it fometimes has prov'd ruinous, as well as to Families of fuch who have had an ungovernable Tafte for Building. PART |