Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 1.djvu/62

48 been a German, and many buildings were erected at great cost and in a somewhat better style. In the year 1174, this William, assisted by the sculptor, is said to have founded the in Pisa, where the following inscription may still be seen:— But these two architects, having little experience of the requisites to a good foundation on the soil of Pisa, did not sufficiently secure their piles, so that the tower sunk before it had attained half its height, and inclined over the weaker side, leaving six braccia and a half out of the direct line, according to the declension of the foundation. This declination is not much observed below, but is very obvious in the upper part, and has caused many to marvel that the campanile has not fallen, or at least exhibited rents. But this tower has the form of an empty well, being circular both without and within ; the stones are so placed that its fall is well nigh impossible, and it is, besides, supported by an outwork of masonry, three braccia high, which has been obviously added to the foundations, since the sinking of the tower, for its more effectual support. I am persuaded that if the form of this campanile had been square, it would not now be standing, since the corner-stones would have pressed the sides so forcibly outwards, as is frequently seen to happen, that it must have fallen. And if the of Bologna, which is square, declines from the perpendicular and yet stands, that happens because it is much lighter, the inclination being much less, and not being loaded with so heavy a mass as that of the Pisan tower. This campanile of Pisa is not admired for the beauty of its design or construction, but solely on account of its eccentricity of form, and because no one who looks at it can fail to marvel that it should keep its place. In the year