University of Virginia Library

5. Aldrich, Henry.

THE / ELEMENTS / OF / CIVIL ARCHITECTURE, / ACCORDING
TO / Vitruvius and other Ancients, / AND THE / MOST APPROVED
PRACTICE OF MODERN AUTHORS, / ESPECIALLY
PALLADIO. / BY HENRY ALDRICH, D. D. / FORMERLY DEAN
OF CHRIST CHURCH. / TRANSLATED BY / THE REV. PHILIP
SMYTH, LL. B. / FELLOW OF NEW COLLEGE. / SECOND
EDITION. / OXFORD, / PRINTED BY W. BAXTER, / FOR
J. PARKER: / MESSRS. PAYNE AND FOSS, PALL MALL; AND
MESSRS. LAW AND / WHITTAKER, AVE MARIA LANE, LONDON.
/ 1818.

8vo. Engraved portrait ([ii]); title page ([iii]); preface to 2d ed.
([v]-vi); note ([vii]-viii); introduction by Philip Smyth (1-75); First
Part of text ([77]-124); Second Part of text (125-51); 55 engraved
plates.

Inscribed on page v: `University Library / June 1840 / John Beaford
/ London.'

Of Henry Aldrich (1647-1710), who was born at Westminster and educated
at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford, his translator
says in his introduction:

The Author of the ensuing Elements died Dean of Christ Church in 1710.
. . . [In Italy] he became impassioned for Architecture and Music. . . .

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Plate V. From No. 4. Woodcut of an entablature (p. 228).

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26

That the impression was not merely local and momentary, his executed designs[7]
in the one, and his yet daily recited compositions[8] in the other, would
enable his historian to prove . . . the suavity of his manners, the hilarity of
his conversation, the variety and excellence of his talents, in conjunction with
a fine person, conciliated and attached all committed to his superintendence
to such a degree, that his latest surviving disciples, of the first rank, have been
seen unable to speak, recollectedly, of their intercourse with him, without the
tenderest indications of affection to his memory . . . in favour of the few,
whose happier fortunes permit them to join elegant with solid information, he
compiled the rudiments of Architecture now offered to the public. [Pp. 73-74]

Aldrich says that he wrote for students who might follow "this
study from particular inclination . . . and [I] shall so explain to him
the language and most approved precepts of Architecture, that he may
either rest satisfied with my instructions, to be able by his own application
to study my omissions" (p. 78).

Aldrich's original scheme was for the volume to be divided into two
parts, each having three books: "The first book will contain general
rules: the second will speak of public and private edifices: the third of
the ornaments of building; the fourth will describe fortification: the fifth
naval Architecture: the sixth instruments of war" (p. 78). In this edition,
however, only the first two books were printed. They are as described
above, the first part basing its rules on the tripartite admonition
for utility, strength, and beauty and the second part expanded to include
descriptions of those buildings illustrated, among which are some by
Bramante, Raphael, Romano, Peruzzi, Palladio, and Vignola.

A copy of this book was presented by Joseph Coolidge to Jefferson
for the library at the University, as listed in the Kean catalogue; it disappeared,
however, and was replaced in 1840 by the present volume.

U. Va.

*NA2515.A4.1818