A horizontal decorative woodcut headpiece shows a dense pattern of repeating floral scrolls and foliage motifs.

TO THE MOST SERENE AND REVEREND PRINCE AND LORD,

LORD GUIDOBALDUS,

ARCHBISHOP OF SALZBURG, PRINCE OF THE HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE, AND LEGATE OF THE HOLY APOSTOLIC ROMAN SEE,

PRIMARY PLENIPOTENTIARY COMMISSIONER FOR THE ROMAN IMPERIAL MAJESTY IN THE MODERN DIETS.

A decorative drop cap letter Q is set within an ornate square woodcut border featuring leafy scrolls and floral elements.

How inclined the mind of YOUR SERENE CLEMENCY is toward the architectural pertaining to the art of building and water-management original: hydragogicas; the science of directing and transporting water for fountains and utility arts is known not only to the whole world and the studious practitioners of these arts. It is proven by the work itself, and that most splendidly, which YOUR SERENE CLEMENCY raised within the borders of your territory a few years ago. It is so well established that all Europe speaks of the founder's praises in wonder. This is spread by the testimony of all, even if I remain silent.

Since this present little work was compiled by me over five full years, its contents were collected not without great expense. I gathered material from Italy and its principal city, Rome, and from France, Britain, Germany, and elsewhere. Partly, however, through ingenious investigation, I have newly thought out...