[M2.26backL]                                                          [M2.26back]									26
                                                                      
                                                                      Base of shafts.  We have seen that the mechanical
                                                                      		conditions require none - or a mere square block.  But
                                                                      		there are four distinct ideas involved in our perception
                                                                      		of the agreeableness of bases:
                                                                      		1.  That of a Socket for the shaft, to keep it from slipping,
                                                                      		requiring merely a ring round it;
                                                                      		2nd.  Props on the four sides, or spurs: thrown out
                                                                      		very early from this ring to the angles of the square
                                                                      		base as in St Ambrogio.
                                                                      		3rd.  A raising of the ground beneath so as to provide
                                                                      		against the depression caused by weight of building;
                                                                      		4th.  An aesthetic requirements:  The rounding of the
                                                                      		awkward angle at the base of shafts:  if this be not
                                                                      		enough done by the ring or socket; one may look on a
                                                                      		common base moulding as on a kind of beading at the edge of
                                                                      		a square moulding: a bevelling of the vacant instead of
                                                                      		the solid angle;  Only note that this bevelling is wrong if
                                                                      		it gives any idea of the dispersion of lines of pressure
                                                                      		In the capital, there may be a meeting of radiant lines
                                                                      		from above   but in the base there can be but one line of
                                                                      		pressure, a vertical through centre, any lines which seem
                                                                      		to suggest any other, as of a capital recessed, are false
                                                                      		and wrong.

[Version 0.05: May 2008]