The museum of classical antiquities : being a series of essays on ancient art . cs, of great valueand beauty. The works of Delagardette, Major, Piranesi, andWilkins, make us but imperfectly acquainted with those noblestructures, which rise above the plain: imposing evidences ofancient civilization and grandeur. And the studies of Mazois,perhaps more complete, are still unedited, although preparedfor publication, so that we are deprived of the results of hismore pains-taking investigations. After my return from Greece, I passed with a friend a fewdays at Psestum, making some studies of the ruin
The museum of classical antiquities : being a series of essays on ancient art . cs, of great valueand beauty. The works of Delagardette, Major, Piranesi, andWilkins, make us but imperfectly acquainted with those noblestructures, which rise above the plain: imposing evidences ofancient civilization and grandeur. And the studies of Mazois,perhaps more complete, are still unedited, although preparedfor publication, so that we are deprived of the results of hismore pains-taking investigations. After my return from Greece, I passed with a friend a fewdays at Psestum, making some studies of the ruins; and,among other objects of curiosity, my fellow-traveller and myselffollowed the course of the city waUs, as far as they spot in particular caught our attention, already familiarwith the remains of ancient cities, as indicating a very peculiararrangement for a city gate. A portion only of the constructionrose above the surface of the soil, but the indications of theground plainly demonstrated the plan. D 2 36 DESCRIPTION OF ONE OF CATE PAF. STVM «J/-?^„. The walls had a fossa or ditch outside, at the distance ofsome forty feet; and this ditch was apparently about ten feetwide; but it is now quite filled in. There were two bridges totraverse the ditch, about twenty feet wide, and they led up to adouble opening or gateways, divided by a pier five feet threeinches wide. The whole entrance presented a plain front aboutfifty-five feet wide, flanked on each end by a circular tower, theouter diameter of which is above twenty feet. The nature of theconstruction was so irregular, that the dimensions could only betaken approximatively, but with sufiicient accuracy for such abuilding. The thickness of the wall at the gateways was twelvefeet nine inches, and beyond this was a court about thirty feetsquare. On the further side of the court, next the city, was asingle doorway, twelve feet wide, and the wall was there elevenfeet three inches thick. The city walls were si
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