IIISrORV OF ARCniTKCTUIlE. Book I.

I)ein< open. Tliis is, liowever, closed breast high by a species of pedestals half inserted
ill the coluiniis, and in the central intercoliimniation a doorway is constructed with piers,
over which are a lintel and cornice cut through. From this portico a doorway leads
to an inner vestibule, in which are three ranks of four columns each, smaller than those
first described, but distributed in the same way. Beyond this, in Cousin's plan, are
sundry apartments, with staircases and passages, whereof the smaller central one was
FiR. 51
doubtless the cell. F^q. 51. is a longitudinal section. Fiij. 52. is the elevation. We
F,g. .54
mens of ICgyptian architecture, tl'.at though, as we have hinted, this is of the latter, it
will convey a pretty correct kno-
'f^^^'
\s^ ^'
ledge of all. The general ajipear-
-
-
ance of the temjile is given \\\ fig.
5:5., and a view of the interior in
fitj. .54. The plan of the Egvptia;,
temple is always uniform, symme-
trical, and rectangular. Its most
brilliant feature is the great num-
ber of columns employed, in wliicli
is dis])layed a prodigality luia))-
))roached by any otlier nation. This,
however, was induced by the ne-
cessity for employing blocks of stone
for the ceilings or roofs. The
greatest irregularity occurring in any
of the ])lans known, is in that at tlie
island of Phihe (see./iy. ,55. ), and it
is very evident that the cause was the shape ot the ground on which it is placed. The in-
^ \ \ > I tercolumniations were very small,
,^.-\-^ ""n^ ^v
\
\\
I ,' r"/^ rarely exceeding a diameter, or one
diameter and a half of the column.
We know of no si)ecimens of pe-
ripteral tem])les similar to those of
(Ireeco, that is, those in wliich
the cell is surrounded by columns.
In the elevations of those of Fgyjit,
-^ the s|)irit and character of tiieir
architecture is more particularly
developed. But they are monotonous. The repetition of the same forms is carried to
the utmost pitch of tolerance. The pyramidal form prevails in all the combinations, whether
in walls, doors, general masses, or details. In considering the princiiial i)arts of the eleva-
tions, the first feature that jiresents itself is the column, which we will notice without its
attendant base and capital. If it were possible to establish a svstem relative to their inven-
tion and subse(]uent perfection, we might easily arrange them in distinct classes, principally as
respects their decoration
;
but as far s regards general form, the Egyptian column may be
reduced to t^yo varieties, the circular and polygonal. The first are of two sort.s. Some
ire found quite plain or smooth, but ornamented with hieroglvphics
(see
fig.
56.)'.
Some
'^'