PREFACE.
THE following Translation was commenced many
years since, under a conviction of the benefit l
should derive from it in my architectural studies;
but at the time of undertaking it, its publication
was not contemplated. During the progress of my
labours I found it useful to refer to the different
versions of the author, and more especially to that
of Newton, the only Englishman who has hitherto
translated and published the whole of the text of
Vitruvius. That translation I found so unsatis-
factory and incorrect, that my resolution was early
formed of making an endeavour, at some period,
to give the English student, not only a more con¬
venient volume for reférence, but, as 1 presume to
think, a truer interpretation ofthe text of the
author. Whether I have succeeded, must be sub-
mitted to the Reader's judgment. I have, perhaps,
adhered more closely to the text than the idiom
of our language may allow, but I trust that this will
be far from a serious charge against me. The edi¬
tions chiefly used have been those of Philander,
Elzevir, the Bipont, and that of Schneider, which is
a most valuable book : not, however, without fre¬