Page 290 - Third Book of Reading Lessons
P. 290
READING LESSONS. 289
whence it is likely the order is but the simpli ed Doric. On account of its strong and massive pro portions, it is called the Rustic order, and is chie y used in edi ces of that character, composed of a w parts, devoid of ornament, and capable of supporting the heaviest weights. The Tuscan order will always live were strength and solidity are required. The Trajan column at Rome, of this order, is less remark able r the beauty of its proportions, than r the. admirable pillar with which it is decorated. Its col umn is seven diameters high; and its capital, base, and entablature, have but w mouldings or orna ments.
6. The Dm·ic order, so called om Dorus, who built a magni cent temple in the city of Argos, and dedicated it to Juno, is grave, robust, and of mascu line appearance; whence it is guratively termed the rculean order. This order possesses nealr y the same character r strength as the Tuscan, but is enlivened with ornaments in the ieze and capital. In various ancient remains of this order, the propor tions of the columns are di erent. Ion, who built a temple to Apollo in Asia, taking his idea om the structure of man, gave six times the diameter of the base r the height of the column. This order has no ornament on its base or on its capital: its height is eight diameters; its ieze is divided into triglyphs and metopes, where all the parts of the order are ac curately de ned; which gives it complete.
7. The nic order derived its origin om the peo ple of Ionia. The column is more slender than the Doric, but more grace l. Its o aments are elegant, and in a style between the richness of the Corinthian
and the plainness of the Tuscan; simple, grace l,
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