Archimedes Texts

208
one has been much more esteemed than the
other, for the Sake of the Superiority of the
Materials. Lastly, I advise you not to be so
far carried away by the Desire of Glory, as
rashly to attempt any thing entirely new and
unusual: Therefore be sure to examine and
consider thoroughly what you are going to un
dertake, even in its minutest Parts; and re
member how difficult it is to find Workmen
that shall exactly execute any extraordinary
Idea which you may form, and with how much
Grudging and Unwillingness People will spend
their Money in making Trial of your Fancies.
Lastly, beware of that very common Fault, by
means of which there are so few great Struc
tures but what have some unpardonable Ble
mishes. We always find People very ready to
criticize, and fond of being thought Counsel
lors and Directors. Now as, by reason of the
Shortness of Man's Life, few great Works are
compleated by the first Undertaker, we that
succeed him, either out of Envy or Officious
ness, are vain of making some Alteration in his
original Design. By this means what was well
begun is spoiled in the finishing. For this Rea
son I think we should adhere to the original
Design of the Inventor, who we are to suppose
had maturely weighed and considered it. It is
possible he might have some wise Inducement
to do what he did, which upon a more dili
gent and attentive Examination, you may at
length discover yourself. If however you do
make any Alteration, never do it without the
Advice, or rather absolute Direction of the most
approved and experienced Masters: By which
means you will both provide for the Necessi
ties of the Structure, and secure yourself against
the Malice of envious Tongues. We have now
treated of publick Buildings, and of private; of
sacred, and of profane; of those which relate
to Dignity, and those of Pleasure. What re
mains is to shew how any Defects in an Edi
fice, which have arisen either from Ignorance
or Negligence, from the Violence of Men or
Times, or from unfortunate and unforeseen
Accidents, may be repaired and amended:
Still hoping that these Arts will meet with the
Favour and Protection of the Learned.