elegance, we can further reduce the thickness of it (Fig. 9), and give
more spread to the capital, always taking care to be sure that the
strength of the column is not reduced below what the weight which it has
to carry requires. In this case a bracket is shown above the capital,
projecting longitudinally only (in the direction of the lintel bearing),
a method of giving a larger bearing surface for the ends of the lintels,
shortening their actual bearing[4] (in other words, widening the space
which can be bridged between column and column) and giving a workmanlike
appearance of stability to the construction at this point. The idea of
the division of the column into two sections, suggested in Fig. 8, is
kept up in Fig. 9 by treating the lower portion up to the same height
with incised decorative carving. The dotted lines on each side in Fig. 9
give the outline of the original square column as shown in Fig. 4. The
finished column was within that block; it is the business of the
architectural designer to get it out.[5]

[Footnote 3: This is the feature called "abacus" (i.e., "tile")
in Greek architecture, but I am here considering it apart from
any special style or nomenclature.]

[Footnote 4: "Bearing," in building language, is used in a double
sense, for the distance between the points of support, and the
extent to which the beam rests on the walls. Thus a beam which
extends 20 feet between the points of support is a beam of 20
feet bearing. If the beam is 22 feet long, so that 1 foot rests
on the walls at each end, it has "1 foot bearing on the wall."]

[Footnote 5: None of the forms of column sketched here have any
existence in reality. They are purposely kept apart from
imitation of accepted forms to get rid of the idea that