Theater of Machines, Volume II

And although I could allege many examples of how the ancient wise men pursued nature, and how one should seek good, healthy, and tasty water in places and ends where there are no flowing springs, indeed how such veins and sources are to be found, it is sufficiently dealt with by Pliny and Palladius.

Then, since in this time the utilities that we have from water are discovered more and more from day to day with all kinds of beautiful arts, we are at this time intent on pursuing the same more diligently, in particular to raise the water in all kinds of manners, whereby the milling work for the benefit and daily maintenance of man to grind flour, hammer and smith-work, paper mills, board and cutting mills—all of which serve for the special utility of people—may be promoted. Hence the dear ancients and philosophers pondered these things, to lead the aqueducts and water conduits. And although