1the ſecond: to which in the firſt place I ſay, that one of the firſt
things that I propoſed in this affair was, that I held it impoſſible
to do any act, though never ſo beneficial, that was not alſo ac
companied by ſome inconvenience and miſchief; and therefore
we are to conſider well the profit, and the loſſe and prejudice;
and they both being weighed, we ſhall be able to chooſe the leſ
ſer evil: Secondly, I admit it to be moſt true, that Brent is at ſome
times muddy, but it is alſo true, that for the greater part of the
year it is not muddy. Thirdly, I do not ſee nor underſtand
what ſtrength this objection hath, being taken ſo at large, and in
general; and methinks that it is not enough to ſay, that the
Brent runneth muddy, and to aſſert that it depoſeth its Muddi
neſſe in the Lake, but we ought moreover to proceed to particu
lars, and ſhew how much this Mud is, and in what time this
choaking up of the Ports may be effected. For the Reaſons are
but too apparent and particular, that conclude the ruine of the
Lake, and that in a very ſhort time, (for mention is made of
dayes) the Waters diverſion being made, and moreover we
have the circumſtance of an Experiment, the ſtate of things be
ing obſerved to have grown worſe ſince the ſaid diverſion. And
I have demonſtrated, that in caſe the Diverſion of the Sile and
the other Rivers ſhould be put in execution, the Lake would in a
few dayes become almoſt dry; and the Ports would be loſt, with
other miſchievous conſequences. But on the other ſide, al
though that we did grant the choaking of them, we may very
probably ſay, that it will not happen, ſave onely in the ſucceſſion
of many and many Centuries of years. Nor can I think it pru
dent counſel to take a reſolution and imbrace a Deſigne now, to
obtain a benefit very uncertain, and more than that, which only
ſhall concern thoſe who are to come very many Ages after us,
and thereby bring a certain inconvenience upon our ſelves, and
upon our children that are now alive and preſent.
things that I propoſed in this affair was, that I held it impoſſible
to do any act, though never ſo beneficial, that was not alſo ac
companied by ſome inconvenience and miſchief; and therefore
we are to conſider well the profit, and the loſſe and prejudice;
and they both being weighed, we ſhall be able to chooſe the leſ
ſer evil: Secondly, I admit it to be moſt true, that Brent is at ſome
times muddy, but it is alſo true, that for the greater part of the
year it is not muddy. Thirdly, I do not ſee nor underſtand
what ſtrength this objection hath, being taken ſo at large, and in
general; and methinks that it is not enough to ſay, that the
Brent runneth muddy, and to aſſert that it depoſeth its Muddi
neſſe in the Lake, but we ought moreover to proceed to particu
lars, and ſhew how much this Mud is, and in what time this
choaking up of the Ports may be effected. For the Reaſons are
but too apparent and particular, that conclude the ruine of the
Lake, and that in a very ſhort time, (for mention is made of
dayes) the Waters diverſion being made, and moreover we
have the circumſtance of an Experiment, the ſtate of things be
ing obſerved to have grown worſe ſince the ſaid diverſion. And
I have demonſtrated, that in caſe the Diverſion of the Sile and
the other Rivers ſhould be put in execution, the Lake would in a
few dayes become almoſt dry; and the Ports would be loſt, with
other miſchievous conſequences. But on the other ſide, al
though that we did grant the choaking of them, we may very
probably ſay, that it will not happen, ſave onely in the ſucceſſion
of many and many Centuries of years. Nor can I think it pru
dent counſel to take a reſolution and imbrace a Deſigne now, to
obtain a benefit very uncertain, and more than that, which only
ſhall concern thoſe who are to come very many Ages after us,
and thereby bring a certain inconvenience upon our ſelves, and
upon our children that are now alive and preſent.
Let it be alledged therefore, (although I hold it falſe) that by
the diverſions of the Rivers the Lake may be kept in good con
dition for ſeveral years to come.
the diverſions of the Rivers the Lake may be kept in good con
dition for ſeveral years to come.
But I ſay confidently, and hope to demonſtrate it; That the
Diverſions will bring the Lake, even in our dayes, to be almoſt
dry, and at leaſt will leave ſo little water in it, that it ſhall ceaſe
to be Navigable, and the Ports ſhall moſt infallibly be choaked
up. I will therefore ſay upon experience, in anſwer to this Ob
jection, that it is very neceſſary firſt well to diſcourſe, and ratio
nally to particularize and aſcertain the beſt that may be this
point of the quantity of this ſinking Mud or Sand.
Diverſions will bring the Lake, even in our dayes, to be almoſt
dry, and at leaſt will leave ſo little water in it, that it ſhall ceaſe
to be Navigable, and the Ports ſhall moſt infallibly be choaked
up. I will therefore ſay upon experience, in anſwer to this Ob
jection, that it is very neceſſary firſt well to diſcourſe, and ratio
nally to particularize and aſcertain the beſt that may be this
point of the quantity of this ſinking Mud or Sand.
Now I fear I ſhall make my ſelf ridiculous to thoſe, who mea
ſuring the things of Nature with the ſhallowneſſe of their brains
ſuring the things of Nature with the ſhallowneſſe of their brains