168

the gods would restore Licinius to life, that he mightcorrect the folly, and fashionable inconsistency in ourstucco work. It is not foreign to my purpose to showhow inconsistency overcomes truth. The ancients la-boured to accomplish and render pleasing by dint ofart, that which in the present day is obtained by meansof strong and gaudy colouring, and for the effect whichwas formerly obtained only by the skill of the artist, aprodigal expense is now substituted. Who in formertimes used minium otherwise than as a medicine ? Inthe present age, however, walls are everywhere coveredwith it. To this may be added the use of chrysocolla,purple, and azure decorations, which, without the aid ofreal art, produce a splendid effect. These are so costly,that unless otherwise stated in agreements, they are tobe, by law, charged to the account of the employer. Tomy utmost I have described the means for avoiding de-fective plastering, and as lime has previously beensufficiently treated of, it now remains to treat of marble.

CHAPTER VI.

OF THE PREPARATION OF MARBLE FOR PLASTERING.

Marble is not alike in all countries. In some places itcontains pellucid particles, similar to those of salt, which,when bruised and ground, impart great solidity to plas-tering and cornices. When these are not to be obtained,the chips (assulse), as they are denominated, which theworkers in marble throw off' in working, may be substi-tuted after being pounded and sifte'd. They are to heseparated into three sorts, of which that which containsthe larger particles, is, as we have above directed, to belaid on with the sand and lime : then follows the second