204 A Key to Civil Architecture : Or,

partitions lies in the judgment of properly placingthe braces, so as they may in some measure serve asa kind of burnent or hay one to another; wherethose are used, they are both of strength in sup-porting the upper floors, besides are a tye to thebuilding by the top-rail being dove-tailed upon theplates, though should not be too frequently used, 'being less serviceable than partition-walls; havingmentioned those things, we will not doubt but theingenious carpenter, will, from the hints beforegiven, remember the adjuncts of hrength and con-venience, such as bond-timbers, lintels, discharging- jpieces, tassels, and have them put in their proper jplaces, for the advantage of putting up his own |work, and turn our thoughts to the great confide- jration of every building, which is the roof, and hatha two-fold meaning, both of equal consequence.The first, is, the natural notion of the benefits in-

tended, which is a shelter or covering from theinclemency of the weather ; the second, is, the ex-tremity of the properties of this covering, whichrequires some thought, that they may not be in-considerately applied as too heavy or too light;(both of which I have in my lecture of strengthhinted at) the former hath the common objection ofpressing too much the under-work; the latter(though of less danger) is always subject to thepower of a storm.

With regard to the height of the pitch of roof,the natural effect of the climate should be the onlyguide ; for if the situation where we build is cold,and subject to heavy falls of snow, the pitchshould be particularlv higher, to give a fall to thegathering-weight; though, I think, the cow wonpitch, understood by every workman, will be highenough for any part of tins kingdoxti; and hme-