WATER-COMMANDING ENGINE, ACT, Etc.

[From page 559 to 567, is the reprint of a rare quarto tract of 22 pages, of which there is a copy in the library of his Grace the Duke of Beaufort; and another in the British Museum, C. 31. d. 1.]

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,

Your Sacred Majesties

Faithfully-Devoted and passionately-

Affected, Useful, if cherished,

SubjectandServant,Worcester.

A Stupendious or a Water-Commanding Engine, boundless for Height, or Quantity, requiring no External, nor even Additional help, or force to be set, or continued in motion, but what intrinsecally is afforded from its own Operation, nor yet the twentieth part thereof: And the Engine consisteth of the following Particulars;—

1. A perfect Counterpoize for what Quantity soever of Water.

2. A perfect Countervail for what Height soever it is to be brought unto.

3. A Primum Mobile commanding both Height and Quantity Regulator-wise.

4. A Vicegerent or Countervail supplying the place, and performing the full force of a Man, Wind, Beast, or Mill.

5. A Helm or Stern, with Bitt and Reins, wherewith any Child may guide, order, and controul the whole Operation.

6. A particular Magazine for Water, according to the intended Quantity or Height of Water.

7. An Aquaduct capable of any intended Quantity or Height of Water.

8. A place for the Original Fountain or even River to run into, and naturally of its own accord incorporate it self with the rising Water, and at the very bottom of the same Aquaduct, though never so big or high.

By Divine Providence, and Heavenly Inspiration, this is my Stupendious Water-commanding Engine, boundless for Height and Quantity.

And consequently, to him all Forceable Actions and Atchievments are easie, which are in any wise beneficial to or for Mankind.

An Act to Enable Edward Marquess of Worcester to Receive the Benefit and Profit of a Water-Commanding Engine by him Invented; One Tenth part whereof is appropriated for the Benefit of the Kings Majesty, His Heirs and Successors.[C]

Whereas The Right Honourable Edward Marquess of Worcester hath affirmed to the Kings most Excellent Majesty, That he hath by long and indefatigable pains and study, and with great and vast expences, invented and found out a Secret in Nature, never heretofore discovered, being a Water-Commanding Engine, of greater force and advantage then hitherto hath been known; and being no Pump or Force now in use, nor working by any Suckers, Barrels, or Bellows heretofore used for the raising and conveying of Water; which said Engine will yield very great benefit and advantage to the Common-wealth, by draining of all sorts of Mines, Marish, Oazie, or Overflown Grounds; by furnishing of Rivers and Cutts with water to make them Navigable and Portable from Town to Town; by improving of Lands wanting water; by the supplying and bringing in of water into the City of London, or into any other places: and by divers other ways and means whereby great Encouragement will be given to the People of this Nation to undertake to work rich Mines, to drain, and gain in many Marish, Oazie, and surrounded Grounds, which hitherto they have been deterred to endeavour the improvement of, by reason of the vast sums of money which must be necessarily expended by the draining and conveying away the water out of the same. And whereas the said Edward Marquess of Worcester is willing and contented to setle a tenth part of the accruing benefit thereof upon his Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, for the term of years after in this Act mentioned; To the end therefore that the said Edward Marquess of Worcester may have and enjoy the full and particular benefit and profit of this his new Invention, with a Prohibition to all others to make use thereof for ninety and nine years: May it therefore please the Kings most Excellent Majesty, That it may be enacted, And Be it Enacted by the Kings most Excellent Majesty, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Commons, in this present Parliament Assembled, and by the Authority thereof, That it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Edward Marquess of Worcester, His Executors and Assigns, from time to time, and at all times hereafter, during the said ninety and nine years, to have, receive, take, and enjoy, to his and their own proper use and uses, the Profit, Benefit, and Advantage which shall any ways arise, happen, or accrue by means or reason of the aforesaid Engine and new Invention. And be it also Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That one full tenth part of the accruing Benefit thereof (without deduction or abatement for or by reason of any Charges or Expences whatsoever) shall be paid and answered, and accounted for by the said Edward Marquess of Worcester, his Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, for His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, into His Majesties publick receipt of Exchequer yearly, and every year at the Feasts of Saint Michael the Arch-angel and the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, during the said Term of Ninety nine years, the first payment to be made at the Feast of Saint Michael the Arch-angel, which shall be in the year of our Lord God, One thousand six hundred sixty and three; And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that if any Person or Persons whatsoever within his Majesties Kingdom of England & Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick upon Tweed, and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging, do, or shall at any time hereafter, during the said term, Counterfeit, Imitate, put in practice, or erect the said Water-commanding Engine (without the consent and License first had and obtained in writing from the said Edward Marquess of Worcester, or his Assignes) That it shall, and may be lawful to and for the said Edward Marquess of Worcester, or his Assignes, with his, or their Agents or Work-men by a Warrant from the Lord Chief Justice, or from any two Justices of Peace within the respective County or Liberty, where such search shall be made, and assisted by the Constable or Constables neer adjacent, to enter into, or upon the said place or places where the said Work or Engine shall be made or erected; And upon discovery of any such Engine, to proceed against the said Person or Persons by Action, Information or Indictment; and after Conviction thereof in due course of Law in any Assizes, or publique Sessions of the Peace, or any of the Courts at Westminster, or any other His Majesties Courts of Record in any City, Burrough, or Town Corporate, or in any Stanary Court, or Jurisdiction of Leadmines; Then such Engines to be forfeited, and seized to and for the use of the said Edward Marquess of Worcester, his Executors, Administrators and Assignes respectively: And further, that the said Actor or Actors, Contriver or Contrivers thereof, and every of them, shall lose, and forfeit Five pounds of lawful Money of England an Hour for every Hour, he or they shall be Convicted, by one or more credible Witnesses upon Oath, to use the same, after such Conviction without the consent and License of the said Edward Marquess of Worcester, or his Assignes, first had and obtained in manner as aforesaid; the same to be recovered in the name of the said Edward Marquess of Worcester, his Executors, or Assignes, at the Common Law by any Action or Actions to be grounded upon this Statute; The same Action and Actions to be heard, and determined in any of his Majesties Courts of Record, in which Suit no Essoign, Protection, or Wager of Law shall be allowed; one third part whereof shall be to the Kings most Excellent Majesty, one other third part to the Informer or Discoverer, and the other third part to the said Marquess of Worcester, his Executors and Assignes. Provided always, and it is hereby Declared, That this Act, or any thing therein contained, shall not prejudice any other Water-work or Engine now known and used, nor any Person or Persons, who before the making of this present Act have obtained any Letters Patents from his Majesty, for the sole making and using of any new Engine for the carriage of Water; But that the said other Water-work, and the said Letters Patents shall be and remain of the same force and effect, as if this Act had never been had or made, any thing herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding. Provided always, that nothing in this Act contained shall be construed, or taken to prejudice, or hinder any Person or Persons from making, or using any Engine, Device or Invention, for ther raising and carriage of Water, other then the Engine in this Act mentioned; And that a Model thereof be delivered by the said Marquess, or his Assignes, to the Lord Treasurer or Commissioners for the Treasury for the time being, at or before the Nine and Twentieth day of September, One thousand six hundred sixty three; And be by him or them then put into the Exchequer, and kept there.

Copia vera.

Jo. Brown Cleric.

Parliament.

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In admirandam magis quÀm imitandam, aut ullis Encomiis satis prÆdicandam, Illustrissimi Domini Marchionis VigorniÆ Machinam Hydraulicam, Elogium.

Jacobus Rollocus,

Scoto-Belga-Britannus.

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A Panegyrick to the Right Honourable Edward, Lord Marquess of Worcester, Upon his stupendious and never-sufficiently-commended Water-work.

I know mean subjects need a skilful Pen
To stretch their worth on tenter-hooks, but when
A Theam falls out so pregnant, who can chuse
But strain his vulgar Wit to prove a Muse?