Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 3.djvu/96

88 timbers have been placed, because they were managed very judiciously, and with much care and forethought. I have indeed frequently seen the plan copied by different artists, for the purpose of being sent into distant parts.

When raised, the principals were placed at the distance of six braccia apart, and the roof being covered in with unusual expedition, Cronaca then fixed the joists, which were made of single timbers. The ceiling was at that time simply of wood divided into square compartments, of which each was four braccia square, and was surrounded by a cornice of very simple character; but there was a plane surface reserved, the width whereof was equal to the thickness of the beams, and this, enclosing the square compartments, went entirely around the whole building; the intersections being decorated with pendants, as were also the angles of the ceiling. The two ends of the Hall were out of square to the extent of eight braccia, but, instead of resolving, as they might have done, to thicken the walls in such a manner as to render the interior square, which could have been effected very easily, they constructed them of equal thickness throughout, up to the roof. They then formed three large windows at either end. But when the work was concluded, the great size of the Hall caused it to appear too dark; it had, moreover, a stunted and dwarfed effect, notwithstanding the vastness of its extent, seeing that the height was not commensurate to the great length and width of the building. The fabric was, in short, altogether ill-proportioned, and an attempt was made, but not with any great success, to improve it by adding two windows in the centre of the eastern side, and four on that of the west. Finally, and for the ultimate completion of the work, they erected on the floor, which was of brick, a Tribune of wood, three braccia high and of similar width, and this, at the solicitation of the citizens, was constructed with great rapidity. On this Tribune, which was furnished with seats in the manner of a theatre, and had a balustrade in front, all the magistrates of the city were to take their places; but in the centre of the side which is turned towards the east, was a more important erection, intended for the Gonfaloniere of Justice and the Signori. On each side of this elevated place was a door, and one of these two doors conducted to the Chamber of Council, the other to the