stifle_v with_o weed_n for_o want_n of_o a_o current_n it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o whole_a fen_n be_v now_o under_o water_n though_o this_o present_a drought_n have_v bring_v all_o other_o river_n of_o the_o kingdom_n to_o a_o very_a low_a ebb_n which_o mischief_n if_o it_o grow_v but_o a_o few_o year_n more_o as_o it_o will_v certain_o do_v if_o it_o be_v not_o prevent_v the_o whole_a level_n will_v be_v drown_v perpetual_o and_o become_v of_o no_o use_n at_o all_o beside_o those_o water_n grow_v deep_a in_o so_o large_a a_o level_a and_o be_v increase_v by_o a_o flood_n a_o storm_n of_o wind_n will_v have_v so_o much_o water_n to_o work_v upon_o that_o it_o will_v raise_v billow_n as_o in_o a_o sea_n the_o force_n whereof_o neither_o the_o bank_n of_o marsh_n land_n nor_o of_o other_o inned_a ground_n nor_o house_n nor_o bridge_n will_v be_v able_a to_o resist_v what_o then_o will_v become_v of_o the_o fish_n and_o fowl_v their_o principal_a comndity_n when_o the_o game_n 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by_o storm_n and_o rage_a like_o the_o sea_n will_v daily_o swallow_v more_o and_o more_o of_o the_o light_a fenny_a soil_n border_v upon_o they_o and_o so_o at_o length_n may_v grow_v to_o a_o immense_a both_o longitude_n and_o latitude_n and_o make_v it_o true_o circumfusa_fw-la palus_n but_o to_o insist_v a_o little_a more_o upon_o the_o fall_n or_o descent_n of_o the_o level_n of_o the_o fen_n into_o the_o sea_n it_o appear_v that_o the_o river_n of_o peterbrough_n who_o natural_a current_n as_o it_o be_v most_o plentiful_a so_o his_o excess_n be_v most_o inundant_a which_o shall_v fall_v out_o at_o splading_n or_o at_o wisbich_n or_o both_o if_o it_o have_v vent_v pass_v now_o on_o to_o whittlesea_n meare_n and_o so_o run_v through_o the_o whole_a isle_n and_o meet_v the_o river_n of_o ouse_n grant_v brandon_n and_o stoke_n overflow_v all_o and_o fall_v out_o leisurely_o at_o linne_n above_o threescore_o mile_n from_o his_o aberration_n in_o which_o tract_n run_v upon_o a_o 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in_o 24._o and_o thence_o it_o come_v that_o if_o any_o flood_n happen_v in_o april_n or_o after_o the_o fen_n be_v lose_v for_o that_o whole_a year_n more_o concern_v the_o possibility_n to_o drayne_v the_o fen_n need_v not_o be_v say_v this_o be_v no_o place_n fit_a to_o discover_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o work_n or_o the_o place_n of_o advantage_n whereon_o to_o set_v they_o or_o the_o old_a or_o new_a drayne_n that_o must_v lead_v unto_o they_o only_o thus_o much_o i_o think_v fit_a to_o intimate_v that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a difference_n between_o these_o fen_n and_o the_o levels_n in_o the_o low_a country_n for_o there_o the_o sea_n be_v high_a than_o the_o land_n and_o therefore_o their_o only_a way_n be_v by_o bank_v to_o keep_v out_o the_o sea_n and_o then_o by_o mill_n and_o other_o device_n to_o heave_v out_o the_o water_n which_o work_n of_o bank_v though_o it_o be_v exceed_o chargeable_a and_o dangerous_a for_o breach_n yet_o they_o be_v constrain_v to_o trust_v to_o 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marshland_n and_o other_o bank_v ground_n have_v bring_v great_a deluge_n and_o destruction_n of_o house_n cattle_n etc._n etc._n many_o of_o which_o be_v not_o yet_o regain_v other_o hold_v good_a at_o a_o excessive_a charge_n and_o under_o desperate_a danger_n there_o be_v also_o a_o other_o danger_n in_o bank_v procure_v by_o a_o small_a contemptible_a vermin_n they_o be_v water-rat_n which_o make_v their_o hole_n in_o the_o bank_n close_o to_o the_o water_n when_o it_o be_v at_o the_o shallow_a in_o infinite_a number_n and_o feed_v upon_o the_o fry_n of_o fish_n do_v multiply_v like_o fish_n these_o burrow_n deep_a into_o the_o bank_n which_o be_v make_v of_o light_a earth_n when_o the_o water_n do_v rise_v and_o be_v beat_v into_o they_o by_o the_o wind_n many_o of_o those_o hole_n be_v wear_v into_o one_o and_o so_o the_o whole_a bank_n be_v in_o no_o long_a time_n demolish_v a_o mischief_n which_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o remedy_n &_o yet_o such_o as_o will_v render_v all_o 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the_o river_n and_o drayne_n beside_o these_o argument_n against_o trust_v to_o bank_n in_o a_o case_n where_o in_o great_a adventure_n of_o man_n person_n habitation_n and_o estate_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v there_o be_v another_o argument_n against_o entertain_v of_o stranger_n to_o perform_v this_o work_n for_o this_o bank_v be_v the_o conceit_n of_o stranger_n who_o be_v accustom_v only_o to_o bank_v at_o home_n and_o this_o be_v a_o argument_n first_o of_o honour_n second_o of_o security_n three_o of_o profit_n for_o the_o matter_n of_o honour_n now_o if_o ever_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o insist_v upon_o it_o when_o the_o reputation_n of_o our_o country_n be_v bring_v into_o competition_n with_o our_o neighbour_n who_o
river_n drayne_n goat_n sluice_n bank_n and_o such_o like_a costly_a work_n of_o sewer_n so_o much_o to_o be_v lament_v so_o impossible_a to_o be_v any_o other_o way_n prevent_v then_o by_o a_o general_a drayn_n of_o the_o several_a levels_n wherein_o those_o land_n respective_o do_v lie_v next_o it_o will_v be_v remember_v that_o in_o winter_n when_o the_o ice_n be_v strong_a enough_o to_o hinder_v the_o passage_n of_o boat_n and_o yet_o not_o able_a to_o bear_v a_o man_n the_o inhabitant_n upon_o the_o hards_n and_o the_o bank_n within_o the_o fen_n can_v have_v no_o help_n of_o food_n no_o comfort_n for_o body_n or_o soul_n no_o woman_n aid_v in_o her_o travel_n no_o mean_n to_o baptize_v a_o child_n or_o to_o administer_v the_o communion_n no_o supply_n of_o any_o necessity_n save_v what_o those_o poor_a desolate_a place_n can_v afford_v moreover_o it_o have_v be_v the_o policy_n of_o this_o state_n to_o demolish_v all_o place_n of_o defence_n save_v those_o that_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o sovereign_a power_n this_o only_a remain_v whether_o we_o know_v in_o the_o baron_n war_n the_o rebel_n upon_o the_o natural_a strength_n of_o the_o place_n and_o abundance_n of_o provision_n there_o resort_v as_o into_o a_o fastness_n and_o to_o which_o purpose_n it_o may_v serve_v again_o if_o god_n and_o the_o wisdom_n of_o our_o governor_n be_v not_o watchful_a at_o the_o helm_n what_o shall_v i_o speak_v of_o the_o health_n of_o man_n body_n where_o there_o be_v no_o element_n good_a the_o aer_fw-la nebulous_a gross_a and_o full_a of_o rot_a harres_n the_o water_n putrid_a and_o muddy_a yea_o full_a of_o loathsome_a vermin_n the_o earth_n spue_v unfast_a and_o boggy_a the_o fire_n noisome_a turf_n and_o hassock_n such_o be_v the_o inconvenience_n of_o the_o drown_n but_o if_o a_o man_n will_v attend_v the_o manifold_a and_o great_a profit_n of_o drayning_n it_o be_v not_o hard_a to_o muster_v a_o royal_a army_n of_o they_o consider_v first_o the_o quantity_n of_o the_o pen-levels_a value_v at_o 500000_o acre_n mr_n camden_o account_n it_o from_o the_o edge_n of_o suffolk_n to_o waynflet_n in_o lincolnshire_n 68_o mile_n and_o that_o be_v by_o the_o string_n but_o if_o you_o reckon_v the_o bow_n of_o the_o fen_n which_o run_v up_o on_o both_o side_n witham_n till_o you_o come_v within_o a_o mile_n of_o lincoln_n as_o rot_a a_o piece_n as_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n we_o may_v well_o call_v it_o 80_o mile_n in_o length_n in_o breadth_n it_o be_v much_o 30_o more_o 20_o seldom_o so_o little_a as_o 10_o mile_n a_o goodly_a garden_n of_o a_o kingdom_n yea_o a_o little_a kingdom_n itself_o as_o much_o and_o as_o good_a ground_n it_o be_v suppose_v as_o the_o state_n of_o the_o low-countries_n enjoy_v in_o the_o netherlands_o for_o the_o riches_n of_o the_o soil_n if_o it_o be_v gain_v from_o the_o water_n much_o may_v be_v say_v compare_v it_o with_o high_a ground_n who_o will_v not_o prefer_v a_o level_a meadow_n compare_v it_o with_o the_o ground_n in_o the_o same_o tract_n which_o lie_v but_o a_o yard_n high_o than_o it_o ordinary_o let_v for_o 20._o shil_fw-la a_o acre_n and_o upward_o not_o about_o ely_n and_o other_o good_a town_n only_o but_o at_o thorny-abbey_n my_o lord_n of_o beaford_n let_v between_o 3_o and_o 400_o acre_n of_o rise_a ground_n upon_o which_o the_o abbey_n stand_v for_o 300._o li._n per_fw-la annum_fw-la whereas_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o lordship_n of_o thorny_a contain_v 16_o or_o 17000_o acre_n of_o drown_a ground_n be_v esteem_v as_o it_o now_o lie_v of_o little_a or_o no_o value_n yet_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o history_n of_o william_n of_o malmesburie_n vouch_v by_o mr_n camden_n who_o live_v about_o 1200_o year_n since_o that_o in_o his_o time_n it_o represent_v a_o very_a paradise_n for_o that_o in_o pleasure_n and_o delight_v it_o resemble_v heaven_n itself_o in_o the_o very_a marsh_n bear_v tree_n that_o for_o their_o straight_a tallness_n and_o the_o same_o without_o knot_n strive_v to_o touch_v the_o star_n a_o plain_n there_o be_v as_o even_o as_o the_o sea_n which_o with_o green_a grass_n allure_v the_o eye_n so_o smooth_a and_o level_a that_o if_o any_o walk_v along_o the_o field_n they_o shall_v find_v nothing_o to_o stumble_v at_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o parcel_n of_o ground_n that_o lie_v waste_v and_o void_a there_o here_o you_o shall_v find_v the_o earth_n rise_v somewhere_o for_o appletree_n there_o shall_v you_o have_v a_o field_n set_v with_o vine_n which_o either_o creep_v upon_o the_o ground_n or_o mount_v on_o high_a upon_o pole_n to_o support_v they_o etc._n etc._n for_o in_o those_o day_n vineyard_n be_v very_o frequent_a in_o england_n the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o abbey_n of_o crowland_n of_o the_o great_a lordship_n of_o whittlesea_n and_o of_o all_o the_o rest_n that_o consist_v of_o part_n dry_a and_o part_v drown_v land_n yet_o those_o dry_a &_o drown_a land_n be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o where_o there_o be_v any_o difference_n the_o drown_a be_v the_o rich_a as_o appear_v in_o the_o two_o extraordinary_a dry_a year_n 1619_o and_o 1620_o when_o the_o edge_n of_o the_o drown_a fen_n be_v dry_a yield_v twice_o as_o much_o grass_n as_o the_o rise_a ground_n do_v i_o shall_v speak_v of_o a_o strange_a thing_n yet_o be_v it_o relate_v by_o a_o gentleman_n interest_v in_o the_o place_n and_o of_o good_a credit_n borrough_n great_a fen_n contain_v about_o 7000_o acre_n this_o fen_n be_v usual_o so_o much_o surround_v that_o the_o dry_a place_n and_o all_o be_v not_o well_o able_a to_o bear_v the_o inhabitant_n cattle_n in_o those_o two_o year_n it_o be_v all_o dry_a and_o yield_v such_o abundance_n of_o foath_a that_o they_o receive_v for_o a_o great_a part_n of_o summer_n 50._o li._n a_o day_n for_o the_o ioy_a of_o cattle_n as_o they_o call_v it_o out_o of_o the_o high_a country_n the_o like_a may_v be_v imagine_v to_o be_v the_o condition_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o fen_n especial_o if_o the_o ground_n be_v smooth_a and_o free_a from_o hassocks_n i_o will_v give_v you_o a_o instance_n there_o be_v a_o bank_n in_o thorny_a of_o a_o mile_n long_o or_o more_o cast_v up_o out_o of_o two_o drayne_n of_o the_o most_o miry_a fen_n which_o lie_v somewhat_o high_a as_o be_v a_o horse-way_n from_o thorny-abbey_n to_o peterborough_n be_v grow_v into_o very_o fine_a and_o feed_a grass_n and_o here_o to_o prove_v the_o richness_n of_o the_o fen-soyle_n let_v it_o be_v observe_v that_o where_o water_n stand_v all_o the_o spring_n in_o barren_a land_n there_o will_v be_v no_o grass_n at_o all_o not_o so_o much_o as_o where_o for_o want_v of_o rain_n the_o sun_n burn_v the_o soil_n and_o this_o be_v a_o certain_a argument_n of_o sterile_a or_o lean_a earth_n but_o where_o though_o the_o water_n stand_v the_o earth_n notwithstanding_o bring_v forth_o fruit_n it_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o a_o fat_a and_o lusty_a soil_n and_o so_o much_o the_o fat_a by_o how_o much_o the_o fruit_n be_v courser_n and_o large_a for_o all_o ground_n that_o will_v afford_v nourishment_n to_o grass_n will_v not_o suffice_v sap_n enough_o for_o sedge_n or_o reed_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o which_o will_v bear_v reed_n or_o sedge_n in_o any_o quantity_n be_v able_a to_o yield_v sap_n enough_o for_o abundance_n of_o grass_n so_o great_a a_o quantity_n therefore_o of_o rich_a land_n be_v gain_v will_v meruailous_o increase_v &_o support_v the_o multitude_n of_o his_o majesty_n subject_n wherein_o consist_v the_o glory_n and_o strength_n of_o a_o kingdom_n add_v hereto_o the_o augmentation_n of_o his_o highness_n revenue_n for_o there_o be_v in_o the_o fen_n if_o i_o remember_v a_o right_n 16_o manor_n belong_v to_o the_o crown_n on_o the_o southside_n of_o boston_n beside_o the_o great_a honour_n of_o bullingbrooke_n on_o the_o north_n contain_v about_o it_o by_o estimation_n 60000_o acre_n of_o fen-land_n which_o be_v late_o let_v for_o 18._o li._n a_o year_n to_o sr_n vincent_n skinner_n beside_o his_o custom_n subsidy_n provision_n casualty_n etc._n etc._n what_o shall_v i_o remember_v the_o profit_n which_o will_v accrue_v to_o the_o commonwealth_n the_o abundance_n of_o provision_n for_o victual_n flesh_n fish_n and_o whit-meat_n the_o breed_n of_o horse_n serviceable_a both_o in_o peace_n and_o for_o war_n the_o rich_a and_o necessary_a merchandize_n of_o wool_n hydes_n tallow_n hemp_n rape_n and_o such_o like_a the_o transportation_n of_o the_o commodity_n of_o the_o country_n from_o place_n to_o place_n for_o the_o use_n of_o the_o neighbour-part_n the_o ease_n of_o traveler_n who_o now_o be_v fain_o to_o make_v compass_n journey_n to_o avoid_v the_o overflowing_n the_o convoy_n of_o his_o majesty_n army_n
the_o commoner_n as_o lord_n and_o owner_n of_o that_o soil_n shall_v and_o may_v enjoy_v their_o commons_o in_o the_o residue_n thereof_o to_o the_o second_o part_n of_o the_o objection_n that_o rich_a man_n will_v over-charge_v the_o common_a when_o it_o be_v secure_v and_o so_o oppress_v the_o poor_a i_o confess_v it_o be_v a_o common_a calamity_n in_o all_o unstinted_a commons_o and_o deserve_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o wisdom_n and_o care_n in_o the_o state_n to_o prevent_v it_o especial_o in_o such_o rich_a soil_n two_o help_n there_o be_v one_o that_o the_o commoner_n who_o dwell_v upon_o or_o near_o the_o common_a will_v make_v good_a shift_n if_o the_o rich_a man_n dwell_v but_o a_o mile_n off_o as_o in_o the_o fen_n it_o will_v often_o be_v but_o if_o the_o land_n which_o be_v set_v out_o for_o the_o recompense_n of_o the_o drayn_n be_v let_v part_n to_o the_o poor_a sort_n at_o reasonable_a rent_n than_o the_o poor_a man_n have_v several_a ground_n adjoin_v to_o the_o common_a wherein_o to_o succour_v his_o cattle_n at_o need_n and_o whereupon_o to_o get_v foath_a for_o they_o he_o may_v shift_v with_o his_o rich_a neighbour_n so_o much_o the_o better_o other_o help_v i_o know_v none_o but_o a_o apportionment_n which_o in_o the_o fen_n will_v be_v more_o difficult_a then_o in_o other_o unstinted_a commons_o because_o in_o one_o fen_n many_o township_n have_v interest_n of_o common_a and_o yet_o there_o will_v be_v enough_o for_o all_o if_o it_o be_v well_o order_v it_o be_v far_a object_v that_o if_o the_o drayn_n shall_v succeed_v there_o will_v be_v then_o as_o much_o want_n of_o water_n as_o there_o have_v be_v former_o too_o much_o i_o answer_v that_o when_o the_o river_n and_o drayne_n be_v deepen_v which_o be_v a_o thing_n must_v be_v perform_v they_o will_v hold_v a_o world_n of_o water_n more_o than_o they_o now_o do_v and_o it_o will_v ordinary_o be_v hold_v up_o also_o to_o a_o sufficient_a height_n by_o the_o work_v for_o the_o drayn_n except_o when_o a_o flood_n be_v fear_v which_o if_o it_o come_v there_o will_v be_v water_n enough_o and_o two_o much_o if_o it_o come_v not_o yet_o within_o a_o few_o hour_n if_o the_o current_n of_o the_o water_n at_o the_o work_n be_v inhibit_v the_o country_n will_v be_v full_a enough_o beside_o the_o partition_n of_o the_o land_n assign_v for_o recompense_n of_o the_o drayn_n will_v in_o a_o short_a time_n make_v ditch_n enough_o to_o contain_v more_o water_n than_o the_o cattle_n in_o those_o part_n will_v use_v and_o by_o common_a intendment_n all_o good_a husband_n will_v make_v ditch_n for_o division_n in_o their_o own_o ground_n and_o sluice_n to_o detain_v or_o let_v go_v the_o water_n at_o their_o pleasure_n final_o some_o will_v say_v they_o be_v many_o time_n drayn_v from_o heaven_n and_o therefore_o need_v not_o man_n help_n true_a it_o be_v that_o god_n almighty_a have_v teach_v they_o by_o the_o experience_n of_o some_o dry_a year_n though_o rare_o the_o difference_n between_o a_o wilderness_n of_o water_n &_o a_o goodly_a green_a meadow_n to_o lead_v they_o by_o sense_n who_o be_v hardly_o govern_v by_o reason_n to_o discern_v what_o may_v be_v best_a for_o themselves_o and_o their_o posterity_n of_o which_o great_a document_n if_o they_o make_v sinister_a use_n vain_o fancy_v to_o themselves_o that_o which_o be_v to_o man_n reason_n impossible_a they_o must_v be_v content_a to_o be_v punish_v according_a to_o reason_n that_o be_v to_o say_v whereas_o such_o dry_a year_n shall_v have_v drink_v up_o the_o water_n if_o not_o of_o the_o river_n yet_o of_o many_o of_o the_o drayne_n which_o thereupon_o be_v grow_v up_o and_o pester_v with_o weed_n and_o rubbish_n it_o follow_v necessary_o that_o upon_o the_o next_o confluence_n of_o water_n into_o that_o level_n the_o sewer_n which_o contain_v they_o be_v stifle_v they_o have_v breed_v a_o great_a and_o more_o fearful_a inundation_n beside_o these_o there_o be_v certain_a tacite_fw-la and_o silent_a objection_n which_o some_o be_v either_o afraid_a or_o ashamed_a to_o utter_v and_o yet_o be_v obstinate_o govern_v by_o they_o i_o will_v name_v but_o two_o the_o one_o be_v the_o loss_n of_o their_o land_n the_o other_o be_v mere_a envy_n or_o if_o you_o will_v give_v it_o a_o gentle_a name_n private_a emulation_n the_o former_a i_o may_v more_o bold_o avouch_v because_o it_o please_v his_o late_a majesty_n to_o fasten_v upon_o it_o when_o he_o give_v gracious_a audience_n to_o a_o hear_n of_o this_o business_n in_o the_o year_n 1619._o viz._n the_o lord_n or_o owner_n have_v rather_o be_v say_v to_o be_v lord_n or_o owner_n of_o 1000_o acre_n though_o they_o be_v scarce_o worth_a to_o he_o 1000_o shill_n in_o the_o year_n than_o part_n with_o 500_o to_o make_v the_o rest_n worth_a 500_o angel_n by_o the_o year_n in_o like_a manner_n the_o commoner_n reason_n for_o this_o if_o they_o can_v give_v any_o it_o be_v likely_a i_o also_o be_v able_a to_o render_v some_o but_o in_o truth_n i_o can_v nor_o any_o shadow_n of_o reason_n but_o as_o a_o sullen_a bird_n that_o be_v take_v when_o it_o be_v old_a will_n rather_o die_v then_o feed_v so_o such_o fen-man_n not_o consider_v that_o though_o the_o alotment_n for_o the_o reward_n of_o drayn_v shall_v be_v in_o land_n yet_o the_o expense_n be_v necessary_o to_o be_v in_o money_n much_o of_o the_o land_n must_v be_v sell_v for_o supply_v thereof_o which_o they_o that_o be_v able_a and_o willing_a may_v purchase_v before_o any_o other_o to_o keep_v their_o inheritance_n entire_a be_v exceed_o improve_v for_o emulation_n it_o be_v so_o notorious_a so_o diffusive_a a_o vice_n among_o they_o as_o a_o man_n may_v imagine_v it_o to_o be_v bread_n there_o as_o hydra_n be_v in_o the_o fen_n of_o lerna_n i_o will_v put_v a_o case_n john_n a_o style_n have_v 2000_o acre_n in_o the_o fen_n worth_n he_o haply_o 50._o li._n a_o year_n and_o no_o other_o live-load_n john_n a_o nokes_n have_v 200_o acre_n in_o the_o same_o fen_n worth_a 50._o li._n a_o year_n but_o beside_o he_o have_v a_o inheritance_n of_o 300._o li._n a_o year_n and_o think_v himself_o and_o so_o be_v a_o gentleman_n of_o some_o reckon_n the_o other_o be_v but_o a_o poor_a man_n and_o life_n hardly_o when_o the_o question_n of_o the_o drayn_n of_o the_o fen_n come_v john_n a_o style_n be_v glad_a and_o promote_v it_o all_o he_o may_v but_o john_n a_o nokes_n his_o rich_a neighbour_n what_o say_v he_o shall_v john_n a_o style_n be_v a_o better_a man_n than_o i_o who_o have_v be_v always_o glad_a to_o shroud_v himself_o under_o my_o wing_n that_o i_o can_v i_o must_v not_o endure_v for_o if_o the_o fen_n be_v drayn_v his_o land_n may_v be_v worth_a 500_o li._n a_o year_n though_o he_o part_v with_o one_o half_a for_o the_o drayn_n my_o improvement_n will_v be_v little_a worth_n no_o drayn_n therefore_o by_o my_o consent_n but_o enough_o in_o a_o unpleasing_a argument_n it_o be_v against_o my_o disposition_n to_o have_v but_o touch_v so_o harsh_a a_o string_n have_v thus_o long_o hold_v the_o candle_n to_o the_o sun_n that_o be_v prove_v what_o no_o reasonable_a man_n can_v deny_v that_o the_o drayn_n of_o the_o fen_n in_o the_o six_o county_n will_v be_v both_o honourable_a and_o profitable_a to_o the_o king_n and_o kingdom_n and_o many_o particular_a person_n and_o answer_v the_o objection_n which_o some_o ignorant_a or_o wilful_a people_n stand_v most_o upon_o give_v i_o leave_v to_o proceed_v to_o the_o second_o question_n that_o be_v whether_o it_o be_v feasible_a or_o no._n first_o let_v it_o be_v for_o the_o time_n admit_v not_o grant_v that_o this_o great_a work_n can_v be_v accomplish_v i_o ask_v what_o shall_v the_o country_n loose_v for_o they_o that_o undertake_v it_o must_v have_v no_o benefit_n till_o the_o work_n be_v do_v if_o it_o be_v not_o do_v they_o indeed_o loose_v both_o labour_n and_o cost_n the_o country_n lose_v nothing_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_n must_v gain_v much_o for_o it_o can_v be_v endeavour_v that_o all_o the_o fen_n shall_v be_v drayn_v but_o at_o lest_o some_o must_v necessary_o reap_v great_a benefit_n all_o some_o by_o such_o endeavour_n but_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o parliament_n think_v the_o work_n feasible_a and_o that_o not_o long_o since_o to_o wit_n in_o the_o last_o parliament_n of_o queen_n elizabeth_n the_o word_n be_v these_o wherein_o it_o be_v apparent_a to_o such_o as_o have_v travail_v in_o execution_n of_o the_o commission_n of_o sewer_n in_o the_o isle_n of_o ely_n and_o counties_n adjoin_v that_o the_o waste_v commons_o marsh_n and_o fenny-ground_n there_o subject_a to_o surround_v may_v be_v recover_v by_o skilful_a and_o able_a undertaker_n and_o the_o
the_o land_n and_o the_o benefit_n that_o shall_v redound_v unto_o the_o owner_n thereof_o so_o that_o in_o the_o whole_a it_o shall_v accomplish_v the_o say_a number_n of_o 120000._o acre_n as_o the_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n after_o a_o particular_a survey_n shall_v think_v fit_a to_o allot_v the_o same_o which_o land_n notwithstanding_o the_o king_n be_v not_o to_o have_v any_o interest_n in_o or_o possession_n of_o until_o either_o the_o whole_a fen_n or_o some_o notable_a part_n be_v effectual_o drayn_v and_o so_o adjudge_v by_o the_o commissioner_n or_o a_o competent_a number_n of_o they_o the_o reason_n why_o this_o decree_n take_v no_o effect_n be_v the_o many_o and_o important_a affair_n of_o state_n wherewith_o his_o majesty_n be_v exercise_v the_o whole_a time_n of_o his_o life_n after_o the_o say_a decree_n be_v enact_v whereupon_o all_o the_o good_a intention_n and_o preparation_n both_o on_o the_o part_n of_o his_o majesty_n and_o the_o commissioner_n fall_v to_o the_o ground_n since_o which_o time_n those_o country_n have_v be_v grievous_o afflict_v with_o the_o continuance_n and_o increase_n of_o inundation_n they_o be_v now_o by_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n not_o lead_v only_o but_o constrain_v to_o seek_v some_o effectual_a mean_n for_o speedy_a relief_n whereupon_o some_o of_o they_o as_o man_n ready_a to_o perish_v by_o the_o water_n be_v wont_a have_v reach_v out_o their_o hand_n to_o take_v hold_n upon_o such_o weak_a and_o defective_a help_n as_o the_o example_n of_o their_o predecessor_n have_v leave_v unto_o they_o that_o be_v to_o say_v upon_o particular_a work_n of_o goat_n drayne_n bank_n etc._n etc._n not_o due_o weigh_v how_o they_o have_v former_o fail_v those_o that_o have_v lay_v hold_n upon_o they_o witness_v the_o costly_a drayne_n of_o morton_n bishop_n of_o ely_n call_v the_o new_a leame_z clowes_n cross_n popham_n mea_fw-la the_o londoner_n load_v and_o many_o other_o and_o the_o many_o mile_n of_o bank_n about_o deeping_n thorny_a walter_n sea_n the_o londoner_n land_n and_o infinite_a other_o all_o which_o be_v now_o of_o little_a or_o no_o use_n though_o the_o charge_n of_o they_o have_v be_v so_o great_a as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v bestow_v at_o once_o upon_o the_o general_a work_n will_v have_v go_v far_o towards_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o a_o real_a drayn_n which_o long_o before_o this_o time_n have_v make_v a_o rich_a improvement_n other_o there_o be_v who_o find_v the_o disease_n of_o the_o fen_n to_o be_v like_o the_o stop_n of_o the_o urine_n near_o the_o fall_n of_o the_o kidney_n from_o whence_o be_v return_v it_o first_o fill_v up_o all_o the_o vein_n of_o the_o body_n which_o before_o be_v never_o full_a with_o blood_n and_o then_o drown_v the_o patient_n in_o his_o own_o water_n of_o which_o disease_n there_o be_v no_o possible_a cure_n but_o to_o remove_v the_o impediment_n near_o the_o kidney_n so_o to_o regayne_o the_o natural_a out-fall_a in_o like_a manner_n the_o water_n that_o annoy_v the_o fen_n do_v first_o fill_v the_o river_n and_o drayne_n at_o who_o issue_n be_v return_v back_o by_o impediment_n they_o overflow_v and_o stifle_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o fen_n of_o which_o disease_n there_o be_v no_o possible_a cure_n but_o the_o open_n and_o secure_v of_o the_o natural_a outfalls_a at_o which_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o fen_n will_v equal_o and_o speedy_o unburthen_v itself_o and_o so_o return_v to_o that_o pristine_a condition_n so_o much_o extol_v in_o the_o monument_n of_o antiquity_n this_o then_o be_v the_o only_a way_n for_o cure_n of_o that_o grand_a disease_n under_o which_o many_o thousand_o acre_n of_o ground_n and_o which_o more_o be_v many_o thousand_o people_n do_v languish_v those_o only_a shall_v approve_v their_o judgement_n in_o this_o cure_n who_o themselves_o incline_v and_o labour_v to_o incline_v other_o to_o further_a by_o art_n that_o natural_a remedy_n yet_o how_o natural_a soever_o this_o remedy_n be_v it_o can_v be_v imagine_v that_o so_o vast_a and_o enorm_a a_o quantity_n of_o land_n as_o these_o levels_n do_v contain_v can_v be_v drayn_v without_o a_o huge_a expense_n and_o the_o prevention_n of_o the_o same_o mischief_n for_o time_n to_o come_v by_o apt_a work_n will_v great_o increase_v if_o not_o double_v the_o charge_n beside_o the_o necessary_a provision_n to_o maintain_v nay_o to_o better_a the_o navigation_n by_o deepn_v the_o river_n etc._n etc._n add_v hereto_o the_o adventure_n of_o so_o great_a sum_n as_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v expend_v in_o these_o work_n whereof_o although_o such_o as_o shall_v undertake_v the_o business_n well_o know_v their_o own_o way_n and_o mean_n be_v as_o behove_v they_o secure_a yet_o their_o assistant_n for_o without_o adventureres_fw-mi no_o private_a man_n ability_n be_v able_a to_o effect_v it_o rely_v upon_o their_o credit_n and_o skill_n have_v reason_n to_o require_v no_o litigeous_a but_o a_o legal_a and_o pregnant_a assurance_n of_o a_o valuable_a recompense_n which_o be_v conform_v to_o the_o decree_n for_o the_o 120000_o acre_n before_o recite_v will_v be_v indifferent_a both_o for_o the_o adventurer_n and_o the_o owner_n as_o it_o seem_v be_v conclude_v by_o the_o commissioner_n before_o they_o enact_v that_o decree_n here_o it_o may_v be_v object_v that_o many_o nobleman_n and_o gentleman_n interest_v in_o those_o levels_n will_v choose_v rather_o to_o disburse_v some_o sum_n of_o money_n for_o their_o part_n to_o keep_v their_o inheritance_n entire_a than_o part_n with_o any_o of_o their_o land_n the_o answer_n whereunto_o be_v that_o a_o book_n may_v be_v make_v according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o adventure_n wherein_o every_o man_n that_o list_v may_v write_v such_o a_o proportion_n for_o his_o adventure_n as_o will_v entitle_v he_o to_o so_o many_o acre_n as_o upon_o the_o survey_n shall_v be_v set_v out_o of_o his_o land_n to_o make_v up_o the_o number_n of_o 120000_o acre_n out_o of_o which_o also_o it_o must_v be_v consider_v that_o a_o good_a proportion_n must_v be_v set_v apart_o for_o the_o perpetual_a secure_n of_o the_o work_n to_o be_v effect_v as_o the_o commissioner_n of_o sewer_n in_o the_o forename_a decree_n have_v judicious_o provide_v thus_o much_o be_v collect_v out_o of_o loose_a paper_n which_o have_v lie_v long_o by_o the_o wall_n and_o tie_v together_o with_o some_o addition_n out_o of_o new_a observation_n be_v present_v by_o a_o friend_n to_o this_o incomparable_a design_n which_o if_o it_o be_v effect_v will_v be_v register_v to_o all_o succeed_a age_n and_o haply_o this_o may_v conduce_v somewhat_o thereto_o with_o which_o if_o the_o author_n be_v honour_v he_o be_v well_o apâ—â—ed_v but_o if_o he_o be_v remember_v to_o have_v cast_v in_o his_o mite_n into_o the_o treasury_n he_o will_v exult_v h._n c._n fjnjs_fw-la