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PREFACE.

...to all these things, when there is no superior natural source, because they are included among those I have previously mentioned from which a choice can be made.

This, in broad strokes, is what constitutes the First Part. Regarding the second, which is to deal with the manner of making rivers navigable, and of facilitating communication between them by means of canals; the construction of bridges, aqueducts, locks, basins, careening wharves, quays, jetties, risbans risban: a fortified platform or sandy plot constructed at the entrance of a port to protect the harbor, beacons original: "faneaux"; these were signal lights or lanterns used for maritime navigation and harbor identification, and other works constructed at maritime sites; I am continuing to work on it to put it under the press as soon as possible for me; I shall inform the public of the time when it may appear.

The consistency of Monsieur Frézier's Amédée-François Frézier (1682–1773) was a renowned French military engineer and explorer whose work on stereotomy (stone cutting) became a standard reference for centuries. merit with that of the great men to whom I have dedicated this First Part of my Hydraulic Architecture is too generally recognized for me to hesitate in letting him share in my sentiments of gratitude, since if one finds the matters treated here with some method, it is to his advice that I am indebted. The beautiful work he has just given to the Public on the Cutting of Stones original: "Coupe des Pierres"; referring to Frézier's seminal book on the geometry of masonry and woodworking. is a sure guarantee of the enlightenment he is capable of communicating; he will undoubtedly disapprove of this authentic mark of my sensitivity, but I am interested in showing that ingratitude is not my failing.

Messieurs Nicole François Nicole (1683–1758), a French mathematician known for his work on cubic curves. and Pitot Henri Pitot (1695–1771), the hydraulic engineer famous for inventing the "Pitot tube," which is still used today to measure fluid flow velocity and aircraft airspeed., who had been appointed to examine a book by Monsieur Bélidor titled Hydraulic Architecture—which contains the description and theory of many machines that have been successfully executed—having made their report; the Society has judged that this work would be very useful to the Public; in witness whereof I have signed this certificate. At Paris, this April 31, 1737 The original text lists April 31, though April only has 30 days; this is likely a typographical error in the 1737 edition.. FONTENELLE Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle (1657–1757) was the influential Perpetual Secretary of the Academy, famous for making complex science accessible to the public., Perpetual Secretary of the Royal Academy of Sciences.