John Ruskin 
Stones of Venice [PDF ebook] 
Introductory Chapters and Local Indices for the Use of Travellers While Staying in Venice and Verona

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. The reason of this is, that the finial is properly the orna ment of gabled architecture; it is the compliance, in the minor features of the building, with the spirit of its towers, ridged roof and spires. Venetian building is not gabled, but horizontal in its roots and general masses therefore the finial is a feature contradictory to its spirit, and adopted only in that search for morbid excitement which is the infallible indication of decline. When it occurs earlier, it is on frag ments of true gabled architecture, as, for instance, on the porch of the Carmini.