Galilei, Galileo Mechanics 1665, tr. Thomas Salusbury

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274
said Instrument kept dry, when Water cannot but onely oblique­
ly be drawn up, which the ordinary use of the Bucket would not
effect, which riseth and descends with its Rope perpendicu­
larly.

The third is a greater benefit, haply, then all the rest that are
derived from Mechanick Instruments, and respects the assistance
which is borrowed of some Force exanimate, as of the stream of a
River, or else animate, but of lesse expence by far, then that which
would be necessary for maintaining humane strength: as when to
turn Mills, we make use of the Current of a River, or the strength
of a Horse, to effect that, which would require the strength of five
or fix Men. And this we may also advantage our selves in raising
Water, or making other violent Motions, which must have been
done by Men, if there were no other helps; because with one sole
Vessel we may take Water, and raise, and empty it where occasion
requires; but because the Horse, or such other Mover wanteth
Reason, and those Instruments which are requisite for holding and
emptying the Vessel in due time, returning again to fill it, and one­
ly is endued with Force, therefore it's necessary that the Mecha­
nitian supply the naturall defect of that Mover, furnishing it with
such devices and inventions, that with the sole application of it's
Force the defired effect may follow. And therein is very great
advantage, not because that a Wheel or other Machine can enable
one to transport the same Weight with lesse Force, and greater
Dexterity, or a greater Space than an equall Force, without those
Instruments, but having Judgment and proper Organs, could have
done; but because that the stream of a River costeth little or
nothing, and the charge of keeping of an Horse or other Beast,
whose strength is greater then that of eight, or it may be more
Men, is far lesse then what so many Men would be kept
for.

These then are the benefits that may be derived from Mecha­
nick Instruments, and not those which ignorant Engineers dream
of, to their own disgrace, and the abuse of so many Princes,
whilst they undertake impossible enterprizes; of which, both
by the little which hath been hinted, and by the much which
shall be demonstrated in the Progresse of this Treatise, we shall
come to assure our selves, if we attentively heed that which shall
be spoken.