PREFACE.

Custom has established the neces-sity of a preface, which may alsobe considered as a privilege, authorsenjoying therein liberty to explain,and plead for their labours. Muchpleading I am not qualified for, norperhaps entitled to ; I thereforesubmit to the candor of those, who,by the purchase and perusal of thiswork, have some claim to passjudgment upon it: the great dif-ference between a perfect workand a good intent, encourages meto explain.

Architecture, as a liberal science,and considered as connected withthe study of antiquities, is a subjecton which every person of taste andreading, at some time or other, has