( to^s ) 
Upon which Indication^ it was thought Ad vifable- 
(by cutting that Iflhmm) to allow thofe Waters (on the 
North fide of the Ifland) a ftraighter paflage toward Rye 5, 
and,to let thofe Lower Grounds ( for fometime J to lye 
under Water Cpaying the R^nt of them,) till ftich time as 
( by intromitting the Tyde ) they might be fomewhat 
hightened 3 and, then, timely recovered. 
In order to which 5 Commijjiom of Sewers have ever 
fince (from time to time) been iflued out for that pur- 
pofe 5 and the work (in good meafure) effeded, though 
not quite finiftied. 
This I take to be the true ftate fin brief) of that af- 
fair; But, under Gorreftion, if (in fome circumftances ) 
my Information,. or my Memory, may have failed me. 
But r think ft might be Acceptable, if fome Gentle- 
man (who is an Inhabitant of thofe parts, and hath 
been acquainted with the Proceedings: of. the CommiQl- 
oners of Sewers there ( for Fifty or Threefcore years laft ) 
would give us a more particular Hiftory of thofe Pro- 
ceedingsi Which might be of good ufe for the Di regi- 
on of others ( in like Circumftances ) for obtaining, like 
Advantages as thefe have done 3 and, avoiding Incon^ 
veniences which may have happened. 
And the like, if Mr de U Pryme (whom you mention^ . 
to good purpofe, in your Tranfaftions for OBoher 1701) 
could give us an Account of the Methods ufed by S»it Cor ^ 
nelius Vermulden in his Draining oi Hatfield-Ckxce. 
I was about to end here. But ( while difcourfing of 
Maritime Affairs) a Friend ot mine would have me fug- 
geft to you, a Conceit of minexoncerning the Marmers 
CompafsJ^vfhxch. being of prodigious life in Navigation^itv 
is not agreed. Where, or by Whom, it was firft Invent- 
ed.) I have Guefled it to have been an EngUJIj Inventi- 
on. Not only for that the EngUJh have been long con-» 
verfant in Navigation : But, even from the Name Com^ 
fdfs. Which is ufed in England [\ am fure it was wonfe 
ta:^ 
