Archimedes Texts

104
still there ought to be a continual Flux and
Reflux of Water, either from some Spring,
River, Lake or Sea. But concerning Fish
ponds which are to be supplied by the Sea-wa
ter, the Ancients have given us fuller Instruc
tions, in the following Manner. A muddy Soil
affords the best Nourithment for flat Fish, such
as Soals and the like, and a sandy is best for
shell Fish. The Sea itself is best for others, as
the Dory and Shark; and the Sea-thrust and
Whiting feed best among the Rocks where
they are naturally bred Lastly, they say that
there can be no better Pond for keeping Fish
in, than one so situated that the Waves of the
Sea which flow into it are continually remov
ing those which were in it before, not suffering
the Water ever to stagnate, and that the slower
the Water is in renewing, the less wholesome
it is. And thus much may suffice as to the
Care and Industry of the Farmer or Overseer,
in the Affairs abovementioned. But we must
not here omit the chief Thing needful with Re
lation to the gathering together and storing up
the Fruits of the Harvest, and that is the
Threshing-floor which ought to lie open to the
Sun and Air, and not far from the Shed men
tioned before, that upon any sudden Rain you
may immediately remove both your Grain and
Workmen into Shelter. In order to make your
Floor, you need not give yourself the Trouble
to lay the Ground exactly level; but only
plain it pretty even, and then dig it up and
throw a good Quantity of Lees of Oil upon it,
and let it soak in thoroughly; then break the
Clods very small and lay them down even,
either with a Roller or a Harrow, and beat it
down close with a Rammer; then pour some
more Lees of Oil upon it, and when this is
dried into it, neither Mice, nor Ants will come
a-near it, neither will it ever grow poachy or
produce Grass or Weeds. Chalk likewise adds
a good Deal of Firmness to a Work of this
Nature. And thus much for the Habitation
of the Labourers.

Of the Country House for a Gentleman; its various Parts, and the proper
Disposition of each of those Parts.

Some are of Opinion that a Gentleman's
Country House should have quite diffe
rent Conveniencies for Summer and for Win
ter; and the Rules they give for this Purpose
are these: The Bed-chambers for the Winter
should look towards the Point at which the
Sun rises in Winter, and the Parlour, towards
the Equinoctial Sun-setting; whereas the Bed
chambers for Summer should look to the South,
the Parlours, to the Winter Sun-rising, and the
Portico or Place for walking in, to the South.
But, in my Opinion, all these Conveniencies
ought to be varied according to the Difference
of the Country and Climate, so as to temper
Heat by Cold and Dry by Moist. I do not
think it necessary for the Gentleman's House
to stand in the most fruitful Part of his whole
Estate, but rather in the most Honourable,
where he can uncontrolled enjoy all the Pleasures
and Conveniencies of Air, Sun, and fine Pro
spects, go down easily at any Time into his
Estate, receive Strangers handsomely and spaci
ously, be seen by Passengers for a good Way
round, and have a View of some City, Towns,
the Sea, an open Plain, and the Tops of some
known Hills and Mountains. Let him have
the Delights of Gardens, and the Diversions of
Fishing and Hunting close under his Eye. We
have in another Place observed, that of the dif
ferent Members of a House, some belong to the
whole Family in general, other to a certain
Number of Persons in it, and others again on
ly to one or more Persons separately. In our
Country House, with Regard to those Members
which belong to the whole Family in general,
let us imitate the Prince's Palace. Before the
Door let there be a large open Space, for the
Exercises either of Chariot or Horse Racing,
much longer than a Youth can either draw a
Bow or throw a Dart. Within the House,
with Regard to those Conveniencies necessary
for a Number of Persons in the Family, let
there not be wanting open Places for Walking,
Swimming, and other Diversions, Court-yards,
Grass-plots and Porticoes, where the old Men
may chat together in the kindly Warmth of
the Sun in Winter, and where the Family may
divert themselves and enjoy the Shade in Sum
mer. It is manifest some Parts of the House
are for the Family themselves, and others for