ARCHITECTURE

, Architectura, the art of planning and building or erecting any edifice, so as properly to answer the end proposed, for solidity, conveniency, and beauty; whether houses, temples, churches, bridges, halls, theatres, &c, &c.—Architecture is divided into civil, military, and haval or marine.

Civil Architecture, is the art of designing and erecting edifices of every kind for the uses of civil lise in every capacity; as churches, palaces, private houses, &c; and it has been divided into five orders or manners of building, under the names of the Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite.

There were many authors on architecture among the Greeks and Romans, before Vitruvius; but he is the sirst whose work is entire and extant. He lived in the reigns of Julius Cæsar and Augustus, and composed a complete system of architecture, in ten books, which he dedicated to this prince. The principal authors on architecture since Vitruvius, are Philander, Barbarus, Salmasius, Baldus, Alberti, Gauricus, Demoniosius, Perrault, De l'Orme, Rivius, Wotton, Serlio, Palladio, Strada, Vignola, Scamozzi, Dieussart, Catanei, Freard, De Cambray, Blondel, Goldman, Sturmy, Wolfius, De Rosi, Desgodetz, Baratteri, Mayer, Gulielmus, Ware, &c, &c. See also Architect.

Military Architecture, otherwise more usually called Fortification, is the art of strengthening and fortifying places, to screen them from the insults or attacks of enemies, and the violence of arms; by erecting forts, castles, and other fortresses, with ramparts, bastions, &c. —The authors who have chiefly excelled in this art, are Coehorn, Pagan, Vauban, Scheiter, Blondel, and Montalembert.

Naval Architecture, or ship-building, is the art of constructing ships, galleys, and other vessels proper to float on the water.