Page:Fumifugium - John Evelyn (1661).djvu/39

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The Smoak of London dissipated.
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that the World has to shew: Whereas, being seated behind that Mountain, and which seems to have been thus industriously elevated; No winds, or other accident whatever can force it through that solid obstacle; and I am perswaded, that the heat of these Works, mixing with the too cold and uliginous vapours which perpetually ascend from these Fenny Grounds, might be a means of rendring that Aer far more healthy then now it is; because it seems to stand in need of some powerful drier; but which London, by reason of its excellent scituation, does not at all require: And if it shall be objected, that the Brakishnesse of the Spring-tides, happening hereabout at some periods, may render the Waters lesse useful for some purposes: It is an extraordinary Accident, which appearing rarely is cured again at the reversion of the next Tide: Or if it only concern the Brewer, I know no inconveniency, if even some of them were prescrib'd, as far as any fresh-waters are found dissemboguing into the Thames; since the commodiousnesse of the passage may bring up their Wares with so great ease: He that considers what quantities are transported from Dantzick, Lubeck, Hamborough, and other remote places into Holland, cannot think this an unreasonable proposition: But if their fondnesse to be nearer London, procure indulgence for some of them, The Town of Bowe, in regard of its scituation from our continual Winds may serve for the expedient, and a partial Cure: But the rest of those banish'd to the utmost extreme propounded on the River.

At least by this means Thousands of able Watermen may be employed in bringing Commodities into the City, to certain Magazines & Wharfs, commodiously situated to dispense them by Carrs or rather Sleds, into the several parts of the Town; all which may be effected with much facility, and small expense; but, with such Conveniency and Benefit to the Inhabitants otherwise, as were altogether inestimable; and therefore, to be valu'd beyond all other trifling objections of sordid and avaricious persons whatsoever. Nor, indeed, could there at all the lest detriment ensue upon this Reformation since, the Places and Houses deserted (which commonly take up a great space of Ground) might be converted into Tenements, and some of them into Noble Houses for use and pleasure, respecting the Thames to their no small advantage. Add to this, that it would be a means to prevent the danger of Fireing, those sad Calamities, for the

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