The firſt is, that although I dare not ſubſcribe to the opinion
of thoſe that require 16. inches Declivity in a mile to Reno, to
prevent its depoſing of Mud; yet would I not be the Author that
ſhould make a trial of it with ſo much hazard, for having to ſa
tisfie my ſelf in ſome particulars cauſed a Level to be taken of
the Rivers L'amone, Senio, and Santerno, by Bernardino Aleotti,
we found that they have more Declivity by much than Artiſts re
quire, as alſo the Reno hath from la Botta de Ghiſlieri to the
Chappel of Vigarano, for in the ſpace of four miles its Bottom
Line falleth five feet and five inches. So that I hold it greater
prudence to depend upon that example, than to go contrary to a
common opinion, eſpecially ſince, that the effects cauſed by Reno
it ſelf do confirm me in the ſame, for when it was forſaken by
the Po, after a few years, either becauſe it had choaked up its
Chanel with Sand, or becauſe its too long journey did increaſe
it, it alſo naturally turned aſide, and took the way of the ſaid
Po towards Stellata. Nay, in thoſe very years that it did run that
way, it only began (as relations ſay) to make Breaches, an evi
dent ſign that it doth depoſe Sand, and raiſe its Bed; which a
greeth with the teſtimony of ſome that were examined in the
Viſitation of the Publique Notary, who found great benefit by
having Running Water, and ſome kind of paſſage for Boats,
and yet nevertheleſs affirm that it for want of Running Water
had made too high Stoppages and Shelfes of Sand; ſo that if
it ſhould be reſtored to the Courſe that it forſook, I much fear
that after a ſhort time, if not ſuddenly, it would leave it a
again.
of thoſe that require 16. inches Declivity in a mile to Reno, to
prevent its depoſing of Mud; yet would I not be the Author that
ſhould make a trial of it with ſo much hazard, for having to ſa
tisfie my ſelf in ſome particulars cauſed a Level to be taken of
the Rivers L'amone, Senio, and Santerno, by Bernardino Aleotti,
we found that they have more Declivity by much than Artiſts re
quire, as alſo the Reno hath from la Botta de Ghiſlieri to the
Chappel of Vigarano, for in the ſpace of four miles its Bottom
Line falleth five feet and five inches. So that I hold it greater
prudence to depend upon that example, than to go contrary to a
common opinion, eſpecially ſince, that the effects cauſed by Reno
it ſelf do confirm me in the ſame, for when it was forſaken by
the Po, after a few years, either becauſe it had choaked up its
Chanel with Sand, or becauſe its too long journey did increaſe
it, it alſo naturally turned aſide, and took the way of the ſaid
Po towards Stellata. Nay, in thoſe very years that it did run that
way, it only began (as relations ſay) to make Breaches, an evi
dent ſign that it doth depoſe Sand, and raiſe its Bed; which a
greeth with the teſtimony of ſome that were examined in the
Viſitation of the Publique Notary, who found great benefit by
having Running Water, and ſome kind of paſſage for Boats,
and yet nevertheleſs affirm that it for want of Running Water
had made too high Stoppages and Shelfes of Sand; ſo that if
it ſhould be reſtored to the Courſe that it forſook, I much fear
that after a ſhort time, if not ſuddenly, it would leave it a
again.
The ſecond I take from the obſervation of what happened to
Panaro, when with ſo great applauſe of the Ferareſi, it was
brought by Cardinal Serra into the ſaid Chanel of Volana; for
that notwithſtanding that it had Running Waters in much grea
ter abundance than Reno; yet in the time that it continued in
that Chanel it raiſed its Bed well neer five feet, as is to be ſeen
below the Sluice made by Cardinal Capponi to his new Chanel;
yea, the ſaid Cardinal Serra who deſired that this his under taking
ſhould appear to have been of no danger nor damage, was con
ſtrained at its Overflowings, to give it Vent into Sanmartina, that
it might not break in upon, and prejudice the City; which dan
ger I ſhould more fear from Reno, in regard it carrieth a greater
abundance of Water and Sand
Panaro, when with ſo great applauſe of the Ferareſi, it was
brought by Cardinal Serra into the ſaid Chanel of Volana; for
that notwithſtanding that it had Running Waters in much grea
ter abundance than Reno; yet in the time that it continued in
that Chanel it raiſed its Bed well neer five feet, as is to be ſeen
below the Sluice made by Cardinal Capponi to his new Chanel;
yea, the ſaid Cardinal Serra who deſired that this his under taking
ſhould appear to have been of no danger nor damage, was con
ſtrained at its Overflowings, to give it Vent into Sanmartina, that
it might not break in upon, and prejudice the City; which dan
ger I ſhould more fear from Reno, in regard it carrieth a greater
abundance of Water and Sand
Thirdly, I am much troubled (in the uncertainty of the ſuc
ceſs of the affair) at the great expence thereto required; For in
regard I do not approve of letting it in, neer to the Fortreſſe,
for many reſpects, and carrying it by la Torre del Fondo to the
Month de Maſt, it will take up eight miles of double Banks, a
ceſs of the affair) at the great expence thereto required; For in
regard I do not approve of letting it in, neer to the Fortreſſe,
for many reſpects, and carrying it by la Torre del Fondo to the
Month de Maſt, it will take up eight miles of double Banks, a