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central ones on that side are omitted, so that the view ofthe pronaos of the temple of Augustus may not he ob-structed : this is placed in the middle of the side wall ofthe basilica, facing the centre of the forum and thetemple of Jupiter. The tribunal is in the shape of asegment of a circle; the front dimension of which isforty-six feet, that of its depth fifteen feet; and it is socontrived, that the merchants who are in the basilica, may not interfere with those who have business beforethe magistrates. Over the columns round the buildingarchitraves are placed. These are triple, each of themtwo feet in size, and are fastened together. At the thirdcolumn,, on the inside, they return to the antae of thepronaos, and are carried on to meet the segment on theright and left. Over the architraves, upright with thecapitals, piers are built three feet high and four feetsquare, on which are laid beams well wrought, joinedtogether in two thicknesses of two feet each, and thereonthe beams and rafters are placed over the columns, antae,and walls of the pronaos, carrying one continued ridgealong the basilica, and another from the centre thereof,over the pronaos of the temple. Thus the two-folddirection of the roof gives an agreeable effect outside,and to the lofty vault within. By this arrangement theomission of the cornices and parapets, and the upperrange of columns, saves considerable labour, and greatlydiminishes the cost of the work; and the columns in oneheight brought up to the architrave of the arch, give anappearance of magnificence and dignity to the building.