An essay in defence of ancient architecture, or, A parallel of the ancient buildings with the modern : shewing the beauty and harmony of the former, and the irregularity of the latter ; with impartial reflections on the reasons of the abuses introduced by our present builders ; to which is annexed an inspectional table, universally useful ; illustrated with sixteen copper-plates
Robert Morris's 1728 London polemic arguing the superiority of ancient classical building over contemporary English practice, written for builders, patrons and gentlemen readers and issued with sixteen copper-plates. The engravings give elevations and sections of Palladian facades, single columns with entablature, and doorcases and chimneypieces drawn with scale bars, offering clean line work, pedimented frames, rusticated and coffered wall patterns, and measured ornament details.
