PREFACE.

...productions of times past, to belittle those of our century.

Since it is only by means of details that one can truly educate oneself, we have entered into them in every place where they became necessary; and we believe we should flatter ourselves that the reader will be satisfied in this regard. However, as details alone are not sufficient, it is only insofar as one reasons upon the different cases that present themselves that one perceives the full utility of theory, and the indispensable necessity for it to act in concert with practice This synthesis of theory and practice is a hallmark of the Enlightenment, seeking to elevate engineering from a manual trade to a formal science.. There are an infinite number of things upon which, for lack of principles, we have worked until now only by trial and error original: "à tâtons." Literally "by touch" or "groping," describing a lack of systematic methodology.; one will find a number of examples in this work which will, we hope, make an impression on the minds of those who direct the works discussed herein. They will admit, if they are acting in good faith, that the knowledge of Hydraulic Architecture The science of directing and using water for human needs, including canals, bridges, and machines. is more extensive than we are accustomed to imagining; and that it is not enough to have long made a primary business of works executed in water to truly understand their effects.

As works which are estimable only for their utility are not susceptible to the charms that a lively imagination might spread, we have tried to save this volume from the dryness of its subject by decorating it with a great number of beautiful designs magnificently engraved, whose precision will contribute much to facilitating the understanding of the subjects that needed to be made visible. Although this part of the execution of a book seems to concern us only indirectly, it has nonetheless caused more constraint and trouble than the rest, due to the difficulty of making our engravers—