ABSTRACT
I am not ignorant, that several authors are of a different opinion: a certain French Jesuit in particular; who some thirty years ago, first published an essay on architecture, which from its plausibility, force and elegance of diction, went through several editions; and operated very powerfully on the superficial part of European connoisseurs. He inveighs vehemently against pilasters, as against almost every other architectonic form but such as were imitated by the first builders in stone, from the primitive wooden huts: as if, in the whole catalogue of arts, architecture should be the only one confined to its primitive simplicity, and secluded from any deviation or improvement whatever.
