In fine, it cannot be denied, that the superstructure is, in all three, too massive for the order, and too much encumbered with coats of arms and other supernumerary decorations. Yet, notwithstanding these faults, and they are not inconsiderable, while the spectator sits on the marble border of the basin, and contemplates the elevation of the columns, the magnitude of the edifices, the richness of the materials, the workmanship of the statues, and, above all, the deluge of waters poured round him, the defects are lost in the beauties, and criticism subsides in admiration."

It would swell this essay to an unreasonable length, if we were to notice in detail all the remarkable modern aqueducts of Europe, and passing by, therefore, that of the Prince of Biscari, in Sicily, which served at once as a bridge and a conduit, those of

Tarregona, of the plains of Anover, and of Almasora, in Spain, that of Caserta, commenced in 1753, by the King of Naples, which boasts of a line of arcades 1618 feet in

50 PRELIMINARY ESSAY.

length, and 178 high divided into three stages with numerous and long tunnels, lighted and ventilated from the depth of 250 feet, by conical shafts of 50 feet diameter at bottom, and four feet at top, and others of inferior note, we select for more special description and detail, the chief water works of England, and of France, and the magnificent aqueduct of Lisbon. London, like Rome, was already a large and populous city, before its supply of water was copious or convenient. In the reign of Henry II., about the middle of the twelfth century, the inhabitants relied on the Thames, or wells in the city, and on springs rising in the elevated grounds,