Galilei, Galileo - Mechanics

Galilei, Galileo, Mechanics, 1665

ſaid Inſtrument kept dry, when Water cannot but onely oblique-
ly be drawn up, which the ordinary uſe of the Bucket would not
effect, which riſeth and deſcends with its Rope perpendicu-
larly.

The third is a greater benefit, haply, then all the reſt that are
derived from Mechanick Inſtruments, and reſpects the aſſiſtance
which is borrowed of ſome Force exanimate, as of the ſtream of a
River, or elſe animate, but of leſſe expence by far, then that which
would be neceſſary for maintaining humane ſtrength: as when to
turn Mills, we make uſe of the Current of a River, or the ſtrength
of a Horſe, to effect that, which would require the ſtrength of five
or fix Men. And this we may alſo advantage our ſelves in raiſing
Water, or making other violent Motions, which muſt have been
done by Men, if there were no other helps; becauſe with one ſole
Veſſel we may take Water, and raiſe, and empty it where occaſion
requires; but becauſe the Horſe, or ſuch other Mover wanteth
Reaſon, and thoſe Inſtruments which are requiſite for holding and
emptying the Veſſel in due time, returning again to fill it, and one-
ly is endued with Force, therefore it's neceſſary that the Mecha-
nitian ſupply the naturall defectus of that Mover, furniſhing it with
ſuch devices and inventions, that with the ſole application of it's
Force the defired effect may follow. And therein is very great
advantage, not becauſe that a Wheel or other Machine can enable
one to tranſport the ſame Weight with leſſe Force, and greater
Dexterity, or a greater Space than an equall Force, without thoſe
Inſtruments, but having Judgment and proper Organs, could have
done; but becauſe that the ſtream of a River coſteth little or
nothing, and the charge of keeping of an Horſe or other Beaſt,
whoſe ſtrength is greater then that of eight, or it may be more
Men, is far leſſe then what ſo many Men would be kept
for.

Theſe then are the benefits that may be derived from Mecha-
nick Inſtruments, and not thoſe which ignorant Engineers dream
of, to their own diſgrace, and the abuſe of ſo many Princes,
whilſt they undertake impoſſible enterprizes; of which, both
by the little which hath been hinted, and by the much which
ſhall be demonſtrated in the Progreſſe of this Treatiſe, we ſhall
come to aſſure our ſelves, if we attentively heed that which ſhall
be ſpoken.

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