Archimedes Texts

64
worthy of very particular consideration, which is, That the Sun
drying up that mudde, especially in the times of hot Summers,
doth raise thence the putrified and pernicious vapours, fogs, and
exhalations that infect the Air, and may render the City unha
bitable.

The second Head is the great Stoppage that daily is grow
ing in the Ports, especially of Venice, at Malamoco; concerning
which matters I will hint certain general points, and then
will proceed to the more particular and important affairs.

And first, I say, that I hold it altogether impossible to effect
any thing, though never so profitable, which doth not bring with
it some mischief; and therefore the good and the hurt ought to
be very well weighed, and then the lesse harmful part to be im
braced.

Secondly, I propose to consideration, that the so notable dis
covery of Earth & Mud, hath not been long observed, as I under
stand, from old persons that can remember passages for fifty
years past; which thing being true, as to me it seemeth most
true, it should appear that it could not but be good to reduce
matters to that passe that they were at formerly, (laying aside
all affection or passion that self-flattering minds have entertained
for their own conceits) or at least it shall be necessary speedily to
consult the whole.

Thirdly, I hold that it is necessary to weigh, whether from the
foresaid discovery of Land, it followeth, that onely the Earth ri
seth, as it is commonly thought by all, without dispute; or whe
ther the Waters are abated and faln away; or else whether it
proceedeth from both the one and other cause. And here it would
be seasonable to enquire, what share the said causes may have,
each considered apart in the foresaid effect. For, in the first
case, if the Earth have been raised, it would be necessary to
consider of taking it down, and removing it: But if the Wa
ters have failed or abated, I believe that it would be extreamly ne
cessary to restore and raise them: And if both these reasons have
conspired in this effect, it will be necessary to remedy them each
apart. And I do, for my part, think, that the so notable appea
rance of Shelves at the time of low Water, proceeds principally
from the decrease and abatement of the Waters, which may
confidently be affirmed to need no other proof, in regard that the
Brent hath been actually diverted which did formerly discharge
its Water into the Lake.

As to the other point of the great Stoppage of Ports, I hold,
that all proceedeth from the violence of the Sea, which being
sometimes disturbed by windes, especially at the time of the wa
ters flowing, doth continually raise from its bottome immense