A. D. 1695. 673 



Improve wonderfully • and although we cannot reach the French per- 

 fedlion, we come pretty near it *. 



XII) Water companies, as the New River, Thames, of London bridge, 

 of Shadwell, and York buildings, Hampftead, Conduit, &c. Thefe deferv- 

 ed good encouragment ; and ib the firft, viz. the New River, has had, 

 to the vaft emolument of the proprietors, though the unhappy gentle- 

 man. Sir Hugh Middleton, who began the work, fufFered extremely in 

 his fortune. It feems, none of thefe had as yet fuffered ftock-jobbing 

 to prevail among them, excepting the Hampftead water, whereby this 

 author foretells ruin to it, (as has fince happened.) What helped to 

 bring mofl of them down was, their fetting up fo many agalnll each 

 other. 



XIII) The rock-falt projecl: our author highly commends, on account 

 of the integrity and care of its managers, being a number of gentlemen 

 and traders. They have built a wharf at Frodfham in Chelhire, and 

 export great quantities of it to Ireland, Holland, and London. 



XIV) The fakpetre company had a worfe f:ite. Great fums have 

 been paid in ; large refining houles have been built in four or five fe- 

 veral places about London ; focieties have been eftablifhed, and a mighty 

 noife made for a time ; perfons of loud-founding name and quality 

 have appeared at the head of them ; and abundance of gentlemen and 

 traders concerned, all things being feemingly difpofed in a good me- 

 thod. Yet of all thefe fakpetre companies, our author could hear of 

 none that made any great hand of it, excepting the firft projectors, who 

 always are gainers, and then, as ufual, they withdraw. Stock-jobbing 

 was brought in, and thereby, and by other mifmanagements, they fell 

 to nothing. 



XV) Draining engines, of divers forts, have been lately made, to 

 clear mines of coal, lead, tin, &c. from waters, as well as for draining 

 flats, m.eers, inundations, fprings, &c. Thefe are profitable defigns for 

 the public, as the more land we gain the richer we are. The earth, al- 

 fo, of fuch land is generally rich, being much of it marl, the beft of 

 land ; and thefe projects have actually proved luccelsful, lays he, in 

 Cornwall and Devonfiiire. 



(Here our author allures us, his intent is not to difcountenance any 

 really good and well-managed projects, but merely to expofe knavifli ones, 

 for the fervice of the public, by difcovering the private intrigues, plots, 

 and underhand dealings, of the principal projectors of this nation, no- 

 thing of this kind being ever attempted before.) 



XVI) Luftrings, alamodes, hats, &c. in imitation of thofe of 

 France. Thofe companies, lays he, have thriven, and will continue fo 

 to do, whilft they keep ftock-jobbers from breaking in upon them. 



* Almoft every kir.d of paper is now made in this country in the greateft perfeftiou. M. 



Vol. n. ' 4Q 



