VITRUVIUS. 
CHAPTER II. 
Of the Parts and Principles of Architecture. 
HE parts of architecture are three; Building, Dialling, and Mechanics. Building is 
divided into two parts, of which one relates to fortification and the construckion of publie 
works; the other is relative to private edifices. The distributions of public works are thre; 
one is desence, another, religion, and the third is convenience. Defence regards the 
crection of the walls, towers, and gates, which are to be contrived so as constantly to repel 
the affaults of an enemy. Religion, the sacred edifices and temples of the immortal Gods; 
and convenience, the common buildings for the public use; such as the Port, Forum, 
Porticos, Baths, Theatres, Ambulatories, and such like; which therefore are always dispoled 
in public places. All these ought to be constructed with strength, utility, and beauty. They 
will have strength when their foundations are sunk to the solid earth; and when from plenty 
of materials, a careful choice is made without sparing. Utility, when the apartments are 
properly distributed, vithout obstruction to their use, and are exposed to the aspects which 
are convenient and adapted to their respective purposes. Beauty, when the form of the work 
is agreeable and elegant, and the proportions of the members are correspondent to the rules 
of symmetry. 
(1*) Vitruvius, in this place, uses the word distribution reader an idea of the various and unusual lignifications 
in the sense of the word destination. I have here chosen to in which the words are often used. 
make use of the word of the text, in order to give the 
CHAP.