CH. II THE LAMP OF TRUTH 61

instance, gilding, which is in architecture no deceit, because it is therein not understood for gold; while in jewellery it is a deceit, because it is so understood, and therefore altogether to be reprehended. So that there arise, in the application of the strict rules of right, many exceptions and niceties of conscience; which let us as briefly as possible examine.

§ 7. 1st. Structural Deceits.* I have limited these to the determined and purposed suggestion of a mode of support other than the true one. The architect is not bound to exhibit structure; nor are we to complain of him for concealing it, any more than we should regret that the outer surfaces of the human frame conceal much of its anatomy; nevertheless, that building will generally be the noblest, which to an intelligent eye discovers the great secrets of its structure, as an animal form does, although from a careless observer they may be concealed. In the vaulting of a Gothic roof it is no deceit to throw the strength into the ribs of it, and make the intermediate vault a mere shell. Such a structure would be presumed by an intelligent observer, the first time he saw such a roof; and the beauty of its traceries would be enhanced to him if they confessed and followed the lines of its main strength. If, however, the intermediate shell were made of wood instead of stone, and whitewashed to look like the rest,-this would, of course, be direct deceit, and altogether unpardonable.¹

There is, however, a certain deception necessarily occuring in Gothic architecture, which relates, not to the points, but to the manner, of support. The resemblance in its shafts and ribs to the external relations of stems and branches, which has been the ground of so much foolish speculation, necessarily induces in the mind of the spectator a sense or

* Aesthetic deceits, to the eye and mind, being all that are considered in this chapter-not practical roguery. See note 10 (here note * on p. 48). [1880.]

¹ [The MS. here adds but erases this note: “(One of the most difficult questions connected with this subject of structural deceit is that relating to the use of iron.)” See now § 9 of this chapter.]

² [See, e.g., § 21 below, for the speculation which connected tracery with trees.]

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