[M2.11backL]                                                          [M2.11back]											11
                                                                      
                                                                      		of the building, which its stability would be increased
                                                                      		rather than diminished by filling up the intervals i i
                                                                      		with another block, as  i2. In such case the base is
                                                                      		apparently dispensed with altogether;  and may be so
                                                                      		blamelessly,  it is however evidently quite optional
                                                                      		with the architect to fill up the interval i2 either
                                                                      		altogether, or to whatever height he pleases (i3) and this
                                                                      		last arrangement would appear to be the best as permitting
                                                                      		the eye to assure itself of the columns being set on a single
                                                                      		stone - the height of the filling i3 depending altogether
                                                                      		on the scale of the building, and an aesthetic
                                                                      		combinations, while in very small buildings or piers,
                                                                      		it may perhaps be dispensed with altogether.
                                                                      		An entire pier or pillar consists therefore of three
                                                                      		distinct portion, {and (3)} a block base, which may be
                                                                      		concealed or not at the architect’s choice pleasure, {(1)} a shaft,
                                                                      		and {(2)} a necessarily visible head or capital; this latter properly consisting
                                                                      		of two parts:  Thus several parts we shall examine
                                                                      		in order.
                                                                      1.  The Shafts:  Evidently whatever the {given} weight of
                                                                      		superstructure - it is in the power of the architect to
                                                                      		support it with many detach {and} slender or with few and massy
                                                                      		shafts:  This is perfectly optional, except
                                                                      		so far as the width of the interval is necessarily
                                                                      		regulated {and the slenderness of the shaft limited} by
                                                                      		the kind of materials at the architect’s disposal: It is to be On the

[Version 0.05: May 2008]