Archimedes Texts

102
as hath been said of that of Marrara, insomuch that from the
Point of S. Giorgio, as far as S. Alberto all those that are between
the Valleys and Po are spoiled, of those that are between Valley
and Valley many are in a very bad condition, and those that are
some considerable space above not a little damnified.

In fine, by raising the bottom or sand of the Valleys, and the
bed of Reno, and the too great repletion of the Po of Primaro
with waters, the Valleys of Comacchio (on which side the Banks
are very bad) and ^{*} Polesine di S. Giorgio are threatned with a

danger, that may in time, if it be not remedied, become irrepa
rable, and at present feeleth the incommodity of the Waters,
which penetrating thorow the pores of the Earth do spring up in
the same, which they call Purlings, which is all likely to redound
to the prejudice of Ferrara, so noble a City of Italy, and so im
portant to the Ecclestastick State.

+ Polesine is a
plat of Ground al
most surrounded
with Bogs or wa
ters, like an Island

Which particulars all appear to be attested under the hand of
a Notary in the Visitation which I made upon the command of
His Holinesse, and are withall known to be true by the ^{*}Ferrarest

themselves, of whom (besides the request of the Bolognesi) the
greater part beg compassion with sundry Memorials, and reme
dies, aswell for the mischiefs past, as also for those in time to
come, from which I hold it a duty of Conscience, and of Cha
rity to deliver them.

Pope Clement judged, that the sufficient means to effect this
was the said Introduction of the Main Po into the Chancl of
Ferrara; a resolution truly Heroical, and of no lesse beauty
than benefit to that City, of which I speak not at present, be
cause I think that there is need of a readier and more acco
modate remedy.

So that I see not how any other thing can be so much conside
rable as the removal of Reno, omitting for this time to speak of

^{*} inclosing it from Valley to Valley untill it come to the Sea, as
the Dukes of Ferrara did design, forasmuch as all those Ferra
resi that have interest in the Polesine di S. Giorgio, and on the
right hand of the Po of Argenta do not desire it, and do, but too
openly, protest against it; and because that before the Chanel
were made as far as the Sea, many hundreds of years would be
spent, and yet would not remedy the dammages of those who
now are agrieved, but would much increase them, in regard the
Valleys would continue submerged, the Drains stopped, and the
other Brooks obstructed, which would of necessity drown not a
few Lands that lie between Valley and Valley; and in fine, in
regard it hath not from San Martina to the Sea for a space of sif
ty miles a greater fall then 19, 8, 6, feet, it would want that force
which they themselves who propound this project do require it to