s which commonly are ingendred there, makes the place very
unwholsom, unless these Morasses be near the Sea, and situated high,
that the Water may fall easily from them into the Sea, and that the Sea
may likewise sometimes overflow them, and by its Saltness kill all the
Venomous Beasts.
It is likewise to be remark'd, That a City situated upon the Sea, must
needs have an unwholsom Air, if it be towards the South or the West; for
generally the Heat weakens Bodies, and the Cold strengthens them; and so
we see by Experience, that those who go out of a Cold Country into an
Hot, have great difficulty to keep themselves in Health; whereas on the
contrary, the Inhabitants of Hot Countries who go into Colder, have
generally good Health.
The Ancients were accustomed to judge of the Quality of the Air, Water
and Fruits, which might render a place wholsome by the Constitution of
the Bodies of those Beasts which were nourished there, and to this End
they consulted their Entrails; for if the Liver was Corrupted, they
conjectured that the same thing must happen to Men that should Inhabit
in that place.
ART. II.
_Of the Form and Situation of the Building._
[Sidenote: _Lib. 1. Chap. 6._]
After having chosen a wholsome place, the Streets must be laid out
according to the most Advantageous Aspect of the Heavens, and the best
way will be to lay the Streets out so, that the Wind may not come
directly into them, especially where the Winds are great and cold.
The Prospect of Private Mens Houses is made more or less Commodious, by
the Openings which are differently made, to receive the Air and the
Light according to the Quality of the Parts that are in the Fabrick.
[Sidenote: _Lib. 6. Chap. 9._]
For the Cellars, Granaries, and generally all places that we wou'd Lock
up, or keep any thing in, should be exposed to the North, and receive
very few Rays of the Sun.
[Sidenote: _Lib. 6. Chap. 7._]
The different Use of the Parts which Compose the Buildings, do likewise
require different Situations; for the Dining-Rooms in Winter, and the
Baths among the Ancients, were always turned to the West, for that
Situation made them warmer, because the Sun then shone upon them, about
the time they were wont to make use of those Apartments.
The Libraries ought to be turned to the rising Sun, because they are
generally made use of in the Morning; besides, the Books are not so
much damnified in Libraries so situated, as in those whic
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