Chap. I. WALLS AND PIERS.

411
p<irts represent the solids, which therefore give boundaries of the voids. Worcester Cathe-
dral is tlie example shown. Li this mode of viewing a structure, as also in that of tlie
))oints of support, there is a minimum to which art is confined, and in both cases fot
obvious reasons there are some dependent on the nature of the iriati-rials, and others on
the laws of statics. Though there may be found some exceptions to the enunciation as a
general rule, it may be safely assumed that in those buildings, as in the ease of the points
of support, wherein the ratios of tlie solids to the voids in section are the least, the ait
not only as respects construction, but also in point of inagnificeiice in effect, is most ail-
vantageously displaced. In every edifice like a cathedral, the greater the space over which
the eye can range, whether liorizontally or veitically, the more imposing is its effect on the
s; ectator, provided the solids be not so lessened as to induce a sensation of danger.
1583e. The subjoined table contains, with the exception of Notre Dame de Paris, the
same buildings as those already cited. It will be sern that the latios of the solids to the
voids varies from 47'i to I'l 18, a little less than half to a little more than a whole. But
if m their sections we coinpare the ratios of the solids to the whole area, there results a set
of numbers varying from -321 to "528, and that nearly following the order of the ratios of
the points of support.
TABLE OF VEllTICAL SOLIDS AND VOIDS.
Building. Century.
Part of
Century.
Ratio of
Solids to Area.
Ratio of
Solids to Voi.is.
Salisbury Cathedral 13 First 0-321 0-172
iMarburg Dom 14 Second 0-3?,3 0-503
Norwich Cathedral 12 First 0-376 0-603
Worcester Cathedral 13 First 0-,;88
633
Milan Duomo 14 Second 0-393 0-648
Temple Cliurch - 13 Second 0-395
6^8
Gloucester Cathedral 14 Second 0-403 0-674
King's College Chapel 15 Second 0-419 0-722
York Cathedral - 13 Second 0-421 0-729
Westminster Abbey 13 Second 0-440 0-980
Henry VII.'s Chapel 16 First 0-457 0-648
Freiimrg Dom 13 Second 0-478 0-916
Canterbury Cathedral 12 Second 0-496 0-904
Ely Cathedral 12 Second 0-498 1-000
Lincoln Cathedral 12 Sfcor.d 0-499 1-000
Florence Duomo
-
15 First 0-528 1-118
Tliough the coincidence between the ratios of increase, in the points of support, does not
run quite concurrently with the ratios of the solids and the areas in comparing the catlie-
drals of the different centuries, yet sufficient appears to show an intimate connection be-
tween them. Where the discrepancy occuis, the points of support seem inversely set out.
Such, for instance, will be seen in Ely Cathedral, wherein, though the ratio of the solids to
the voids in section is as high as 1 (or ratio of equality), that of the points of support is as
low as 0*182, so that the space, or airiness, which is lost in the former, is compensated by
the latter. Generally speaking, however, the points of support diminish as the orna-
ment of the style increases. Thus, in Norwich Cathedral (the nave), of the early part of
the twelfth century, the ratio of the points of support is 0-238, that of the solids to tin
voidsbeing 0'603
;
while at Salisbury (latter part of the thirteenth century) the ratio ol
the points of support is only 0-190, and that of the solids to the voids, 0-472.
From the foregoing examination, there can scarcely exist a doubt that the first and lead-
ing lines of these fabrics were based upon a geometrical calculation of extremely sim])le
nature, but most rigidly adhered to. Thus, taking a single bay in the nave, say, from
centre to centre, and ascertaining the area, that has only to be multiplied by the ratio, to
give the superficies necessary for the points of support, which, as the tables intlicate, were
tliminisbed as experience taught they might be. These matters then being adjusted, and
falling as they might, the system of ornamentation was applied altogether subsidiary to the
great and paramount consideration of stability.
1583f.
A very ingenious writer and skilful architect (Mr. Sarn. Ware), some years ago,
took great trouble to deduce the stability of the buildings in question, from the gener;:l
mass of the walls and vaidting containing within them some hidden catenarian curve. If
such were the case, which can hardly be admitted, in as much as a chain for such purpose
might be made to hang in all of them, it is tpiite certain this projierty was unknown to
those who erected them. Dr. Hooke was the first who gave the hint that the figure of a
flexible cord, or chain, suspended fioin two points, was a proper form for an arch.