An exact and true Definition of the most Stupendious Water-commanding Engine, invented by the Right Honourable (and deservedly to be praised and admired) Edward Somerset, Lord Marquess of Worcester, and by his Lordship himself presented to his most Excellent Majesty Charles the Second, our most gracious Sovereign.
An Act of Parliament thereupon granted, with great applause of both Houses, being through his Majesties particular favour passed, by special Commission to the Right Honourable the Earl of Clarendon, Lord High Chancellour of England; the Earl of Southampton, Lord High Treasurer; the Lord Roberts, Lord Privy Seal, third Officer of the Crown, preceding all Dukes, not of the Blood Royal; the Duke of Albemarle his Grace, most deservedly by his transcendent merits never to be forgotten, Lord General of his Majesties Land-forces; the Lord Marquess of Dorchester, and the Earl Lynsey, Lord High Chamberlain, by his place preceding all Earls, both likewise of the Privy Council: They passed the said Act upon the third of June, 1663. For the more expedition, and in Testimony of the great consequence thereof to the King and Kingdom.
His most Excellent Majesty having the tenth part, without deducting of Charges, freely given him by the said Lord Marquess, and there evidently accruing a considerable Profit and Benefit to every individual Subject of the whole Nation, if he either have surrounded Marish-ground to drein, or dry Land to improve; Commodities to sell portable from Town to Town, and through the Countrys to the Towns by Cuts thus fed by water; or if he have (I further say) Mines wherewith to enrich himself withall, Houses to be served, or Gardens to be beautified by plentiful Fountains with little charge, yet certain in ever so dry a Summer: and there being indeed no place but either wanteth water, or is overburdened therewith, and by this Engine either defect is remediable, that is to say, water necessary to man-kind, furnished with the pleasantness thereof, procured, and the water unnecessary, as easily rejected.
Thus whole Cities may be kept Clean, Delightful and Wholesome, needing no other Scavengery then by means thereof to void their dirt, and avoid noisomness, the Cause of Infection, Sicknesses, and Contagion it self, by Stenches commonly ingendring and fomenting the same.
After the Act of Parliament, there is here set down a Latin Elogium, & an English Panegirick, both of them composed through duty and gratitude by an Antient Servant of his Lordships, presuming to begin the way to the greatest Wits and Poets to dilate upon so plentiful and admirable a Theam, and so deserving a person of King and Kingdom, and of all that ever knew him.
This Antient Servant of his Lordships, hath for forty years been an eye witness of his great ingenuity, indefatigable pains, and vaste expences in perfecting for publique service, not onely this most Stupendious Water-commanding Engine, but likewise several other rare, useful, and never formerly heard of Mathematical Conclusions, of which he hath owned a Century, and thereunto I refer you: though this alone were enough to eternalize his Name to all Ages and future times.
I think it not amiss to give further notice in his Lordships behalf, that he intends within a moneth or two to erect an Office, and to intrust some very responsible and honourable persons with power to Treat and Conclude with such as desire at a reasonable rate to reap the benefit of the same Water-commanding Engine, in any of the aforesaid useful and beneficial operations, whereof his Majesty is to reap the first fruit; and then the whole Kingdom in general, before his Lordship is re-imbursed, and his reward beginneth; whose laudable inventions Almighty God prosper with blessings on earth, and reward in heaven.
Most gracious Sovereign,
The same individual Definition of my Water-work, which I formerly presumed to put into Your Royal Hands, I again adventure to present to Your Majesty; praying Your Belief of it, as Your Majesty shall find it true by comparing it with the real Effect; which, if found punctually agreeing, Vouchsafe then not to be apt hereafter to lend a believing Ear to such persons, as Malice causeth to detract from, or Ignorance to slight what shall (though never so seemingly strange) be averr’d by me, who will never be convinced of a Falshood in Word or Deed towards Your Sacred Majesty; before whom I shall ever speak as in the presence of Almighty God, whose Vicegerent on Earth I deem You: And to Your Majesties transcentdent Judgment I submit all, and will presume to subscribe my self,
Sir,