( ^oo^) 
I can giVe you no accompt of any thing to the Southward of 
37. degrees I thofe few ships, that have adventured co 3?, 
reporting the Winds andSeasfo ragiagj that none dare goe 
further. 
Sme cmfiderations touching the ^vanety of Shte^ together mth 
a commutation of the Charges ingener/U ^ for Covering Hoh- 
festheremth'y iy Mr. Sm. Coleprefs, 
WHereas among the Materials for Building , that for Co- 
vering is not the leaft to be confidered , among the 
kinds thereof our Gontry-Hace is not to be dtfpifed, and that as 
well for its Statelinefs , as Permanency 5 to which may be added 
its Cheapnefs. The firft whereof needs no better Evidence 3 
than the Efl:eem,the flated Houfes in or about London ( though 
there are many of them ) generally meet with from all , that but 
take notice of them. For the Second^ we have Come forts 5 
which by the conjedtures of the moft experienced UeUiers ( ot 
Coverors with Slat ) have continued on houfes feverall hundreds 
of years , and are yet as firm , as when firft put up. And for 
tht thirds the computation of Charges 3 annexed below, may 
give fome hints^ as eafily to guefs at the whole Charge thereby, 
as compared with Tiling, Leadings Boarding (^•^, (con:iparati$ 
comparandis, ) 
I fliall therefore the lefs fcrupie to offer fome occafioaal Tri- 
als C though common ones , for ought I know , ) whereby the 
firm and lafting goodnefs of any -Slate may eafily be experi» 
mented and without expence. 
1, Take the thin cleft ftone 5 flat or (hindle , and fo knock 
it againft any hard matter , as to make it yield a found, I£ 
the found be good and clear, that fort of ftoneisnot crazyj, but 
firm and good. Or 
2, If in hewing it does not break before the edge of the Se&:$ 
( the hewing inftruraent of the blatters ) you may not much 
doubt of the fi; maefs of the 5iat. But 
3, If after ic hath been exaftly weighed (and theaccompt 
thereof laid by ) it be put , and for 2. 4. or 8. hours left to re- 
maine all under water in a veffcl 5 acid afterwards taken up 
B bbbb and 
