Page:Great Neapolitan Earthquake of 1857.djvu/61



effects produced by precisely the same shock, acting upon buildings differing in position, construction, material, &c., are so great, that it will be necessary to treat somewhat in detail of the conditions of earthquake action upon architectural structures; for without a thorough understanding of these, one is almost certain to be led astray by the strange, and often, at first sight, perplexing phenomena of destruction observable.

Throughout the kingdom of Naples, the edifices of cities, towns, and rural places present very uniform and striking characteristics, though varying much in dignity and size, &c.

In a few of the largest provincial cities, such as Potenza, Melfi, (No. 10, Coll. Roy. Soc.,) &c., the buildings, more especially those of government, the ecclesiastics, and the great landowners, present more or less of the majestic size, and architectural style, of the city of Naples itself. Loftiness, thickness of walls, apertures few but large, square-headed windows, and arched doors and gateways, with heavy tiled roofs, of low pitch, and with deeply overhanging eaves characterize the outside. The style of architecture, when style is attempted, is generally Roman, with