Castelli, Benedetto, Of the mensuration of running waters, 1661

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1by the Plebeian Rout. Tis true, that he that propoundeth Pro­
poſitions far above the reach of common capacity, runneth a
great hazard of being very often condemned without further Pro­
ceſs, or knowledge of the Cauſe; but yet for all that, the truth
is not to be deſerted in moſt weighty affairs, but ought rather to
be explained in due place and time with all poſſible perſpicuity;
that ſo being well underſtood, and conſidered, it may come after­
wards for the Common good to be embraced.
This which I ſpeak in general, hath often been my fortune in
very many particulars, not onely when I have kept within the
bounds of meer ſpeculation, but alſo when I have chanced to de­
ſcend to Practice, and to Operations: and your Highneſs know­
eth very well what befel me the laſt Summer 1641. when in obe­
dience to your Soveraign Command, I did in full Colledge repre­
ſent my thoughts touching the ſtate of the Lake of Venice; for
there not being ſuch wanting, who without ſo much as vouch­
ſafing to underſtand me, but having onely had an inkling, and
bad apprehenſion of my opinion, fell furiouſly upon me, and by
violent means both with the Pen and Preſs, full of Gall, did abuſe
me in reward of the readineſs that I had expreſt to obey and
ſerve them: But I was above meaſure encouraged and pleaſed, to
ſee that thoſe few who vouchſafed to hear me, were all either
thorowly perſwaded that my opinion was well grounded, or at
leaſt ſuſpended their prudent verdict to more mature deliberati­
on.
And though at the firſt bout I chanced to propoſe a thing
that was totally contrary to the moſt received and antiquated
opinion, and to the reſolutions and conſultations taken above an
hundred years ago: Moved by theſe things, and to ſatisfie alſo
to the promiſe that I had made of tendering unto them what
ſhould farther offer it ſelf unto me touching the ſame buſineſs; I
have reſolved to preſent to the Throne of your Highneſs, another
Conſideration of no leſs importance, which perhaps at firſt ſight
will appear a ſtranger Paradox; but yet brought to the Teſt and
Touch-ſtone of experience, it ſhall prove moſt clear and evident.
If it ſhall be accounted of, ſo that it ſucceedeth to the benefit of
your Highneſs, I ſhall have obtained my defire and intent: And
if not, I ſhall have ſatisfied my ſelf, and ſhall not have been
wanting to the Obligation of your moſt faithful Servant, and na­
tive ſubject.
That which I propounded in the Mouths paſs, touching the
moſt important buſineſs of the Lake, though it did onely expreſ­
ly concern the point of the diverſion of the Mouth of the Lake,
already made and put in execution; yet it may be underſtood
and applyed alſo to the diverſion under debate, to be made of
the other five Rivers, and of the Sile in particular.

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