1Geometrically in my Treatiſe of the Menſuration of Running
Waters; ſo that talking with ſeveral perſons, I adventured to
affirm, in diſcoures, that this improvement might poſſibly be
brought into a good eſtate.
Waters; ſo that talking with ſeveral perſons, I adventured to
affirm, in diſcoures, that this improvement might poſſibly be
brought into a good eſtate.
Now I have reſolved to ſet down my thoughts in writing, and
to honour this my Paper with the Noble Name of your Lordſhip,
to render it the more credible and conſpicuous at the firſt view,
if it ſhould chance that the Subject I treat of, were not of ſuch
moment, as that it did deſerve to be valued for any other reaſon.
Pardon me, Sir, if I have been too bold, and continue me in the
number of your Servants.
to honour this my Paper with the Noble Name of your Lordſhip,
to render it the more credible and conſpicuous at the firſt view,
if it ſhould chance that the Subject I treat of, were not of ſuch
moment, as that it did deſerve to be valued for any other reaſon.
Pardon me, Sir, if I have been too bold, and continue me in the
number of your Servants.
The enterprize of Draining a great part of the Territories of
the Pontine Fenns, hath been undertaken both in the time of
the antient Romans, and laſt of all, in our days; yea in the late
times by Sixtus V. I do not doubt in the leaſt, but that it will
be poſſible yet to reduce things to a very good paſs; and if I be not
miſtaken, with a very ſmall charge in compariſon of the profit that
would be received from thoſe rich Grounds. This improvement
was of great expence in the time of Sixtus Quintus, but by rea
ſon the thing was not rightly underſtood, there were made many
Drains; a great part of which were unprofitable and vain: and
amongſt ſo many operations, there hapned ſome to be made that
ſucceeded, as was deſired; but not being underſtood, they were
held in no account; and thus the buſineſs being neglected, the
waters are returned into the ſame ſtate as they were at firſt, be
fore the improvement. Here I have by familiar diſcourſes
with my friends, explained this enterprize undertaken by Six
tus V. and haply alſo by ſome more antient, with the example of
the Fable of Orilo, in Arioſto. This Monſter was made up with
ſuch enchantment, that men fought with him alwayes in vain;
for though in the Combate he were cut in pieces, thoſe divided
Members preſently re-united, and returned to the fight more
fierce then ever. But the Paladine Aſtolfo coming to undertake
him, after a long diſpute, at the end he cut his head ſheer off
from the ſhoulders at one blow; and nimbly alighting from his
Horſe, took the Monſtrous head, and mounting again, as he rid
away he fell to ſhave the Pole of that Monſter, and ſo he loſt
the Lock of Hair, in which alone the enchantment lay; and then
the horrible Head in an inſtant manifeſted ſigns of death, and the
trunk which ran, ſeeking to reunite to it anew, gave the laſt gaſp,
and in this manner the enchantment ended. The Book of Fate
ſerved admirably to the Paladine, whereby he came to under
ſtand that Charm; for by ſhaving his whole head, the enchanted
hairs came to be cut off amongſt the reſt: In the ſame manner, I
ſay, that it hath ſometimes happened in Draining thoſe Fields;
the Pontine Fenns, hath been undertaken both in the time of
the antient Romans, and laſt of all, in our days; yea in the late
times by Sixtus V. I do not doubt in the leaſt, but that it will
be poſſible yet to reduce things to a very good paſs; and if I be not
miſtaken, with a very ſmall charge in compariſon of the profit that
would be received from thoſe rich Grounds. This improvement
was of great expence in the time of Sixtus Quintus, but by rea
ſon the thing was not rightly underſtood, there were made many
Drains; a great part of which were unprofitable and vain: and
amongſt ſo many operations, there hapned ſome to be made that
ſucceeded, as was deſired; but not being underſtood, they were
held in no account; and thus the buſineſs being neglected, the
waters are returned into the ſame ſtate as they were at firſt, be
fore the improvement. Here I have by familiar diſcourſes
with my friends, explained this enterprize undertaken by Six
tus V. and haply alſo by ſome more antient, with the example of
the Fable of Orilo, in Arioſto. This Monſter was made up with
ſuch enchantment, that men fought with him alwayes in vain;
for though in the Combate he were cut in pieces, thoſe divided
Members preſently re-united, and returned to the fight more
fierce then ever. But the Paladine Aſtolfo coming to undertake
him, after a long diſpute, at the end he cut his head ſheer off
from the ſhoulders at one blow; and nimbly alighting from his
Horſe, took the Monſtrous head, and mounting again, as he rid
away he fell to ſhave the Pole of that Monſter, and ſo he loſt
the Lock of Hair, in which alone the enchantment lay; and then
the horrible Head in an inſtant manifeſted ſigns of death, and the
trunk which ran, ſeeking to reunite to it anew, gave the laſt gaſp,
and in this manner the enchantment ended. The Book of Fate
ſerved admirably to the Paladine, whereby he came to under
ſtand that Charm; for by ſhaving his whole head, the enchanted
hairs came to be cut off amongſt the reſt: In the ſame manner, I
ſay, that it hath ſometimes happened in Draining thoſe Fields;
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