bark of a Tree twisted and turned into a Spiral line.

X

_Xyste_, from the Greek [Greek: zytos], which signifies
scraped; it was the place where the Wrestlers exercised;
it was so called because they made their skins be scraped
and rubbed smooth, to make the Sweat fall, and to make
their Bodies more slippery, that their Adversaries might
have the less hold of them when they closed.

To the Reader.

_Abridgments of_ Vitruvius _have been formerly printed, but
none of them have followed the design which_ Philebert de
l'Orme _has given in his Third Book: He desires that in
abridging_ Vitruvius _the matters which this Author treats
of confusedly should be put into order, and that the things
belonging to the same Subject, which are found dispersed in
divers places, should be collected together into one
Chapter. This Method, which the most part of the eminent
Writers have neglected, has been carefully observed in this
Treatise, it serving very much to the better apprehending
and retaining the things treated of. We have been exact to
put in nothing that is not taken out of_ Vitruvius, _to
which end the_ Book _and_ Chapter _of his Works_ are _all
along quoted in the Margin; nothing being added, but some
few lines here and there, to continue the Discourse, and
render it more clear: Notwithstanding which precautions,
some things may possibly still remain obscure, in which case
the Reader must have Recourse to the whole Works of_
Vitruvius, _where he will find all necessary Explanation._

_This little Treatise is not only necessary for those who
begin the study of Architecture, but will be also of great
use to even Masters themselves; for it is not to be doubted,
that_ Vitruvius _being so great a Master in this Art, his
Authority, together with that of all the Ancients, which is
included in his Works, must be capable of instructing the_
Apprentices, _and confirming the Masters, and thereby
establish the good Maxims and certain Rules of
Architecture._

_Advertisement concerning this Translation._

This Abridgment having been very well received in French, we
have ventured to put it in English, and doubt not but it
will be as acceptable to our Nation, who are allowed to be
as competent Judges of this Art as any. The Translation is
very exact; the Cutts altogether as well, if not better,
than in the French; and in th