Theater of Machines, Volume II

Preface.

All histories testify that shortly after the creation of the world, as people began to build tents, dwellings, houses, and cities for themselves, they set them up near rivers, bridges, and the like. Mountains and other heights, however, which seldom have water, remained uninhabited. But if one wishes to inhabit them nonetheless, and bring fountain pipes or mill water to them, or if one otherwise wishes to save oneself from the danger of fire with water, whether on heights or in valleys, one must necessarily use such means as are contained in this book. For therein is found, initially, a thorough report on large and small water levels, and subsequently, the balancing and conducting of water is treated, how the same is to be used by means of wheels, pumps, pressure, lifting, and syringe-mechanisms according to the manner and circumstance of each place for all kinds of necessities.