STAIRCASES.

929
FiK- A.'-. Fig. 096.
lade quite square, so as to turn on tlio four sides round a close or open newel, as
injiff.
99.5.
1 which the former is the case, light being obtained by windows in the walls which enclose
lie newel
;
or, asm
Ji;/.
996. : in which case, the newel is open, and the light may be received
ither from a verticil light above, or from side windows in the walls. Palladio says these
wo sorts of stairs were invented by Sig. Ludovico Cornaro, a gentleman of much genius,
rho erected for himself a magnlKcent p;daee at I'adua.
2806. Of winding or spiral stairs, some are circular on the i)lan,
either open or with a
olid newel ; others elliptical, also with open or solid newels. Those witli tlie open newel
lie ])referable, because of their allowing the staircase to be lighted additionally, if re<iuisite,
)v the light obtainable from above
;
besides which, persons passing up and down may see
ach oth.er. Palladio thus directs the setting out of spiral staircases.
"
Those," he says,
'
which have a newel in the middle are made in this manner. The diameter being divided
nto three parts, two are given for the steps, and the third is for the newel
;
or, otherwi^,e,
he diameter may be divided into seven parts, three of which are for the newel and four
"or the steps.
"
Thus," he says,
"
was made the staircase of the column of Trajan at Home
;
uid if the stairs are made circular," (that is, the treads segments of circles on the plan,)
'they will be handsomer and longer" (of course) "than if made straight."
2807.
"
But as it may happen that the space will not give room for these measures,
he diameter may be reduced and divided according to the plates." The essence of these
ilans, omitting the step whose plan is segmental, we here subjoin.
2S08. Fig. 997. is a plan and section of a staircase with a solid newel, in which the
A'hole diameter is divided into twelve parts, and of these four are given to the neuol,
tad the rsmainder divided equally between the steps.
O