Preface.

However, how a mechanical school could be established to the great benefit of the country, I intend to demonstrate very soon in a specific Scripto: writing or treatise (from the Latin 'scriptum').

Finally, it serves as notice to the enthusiasts of this science that it is intended, God willing, to follow with a new volume every half year—specifically around the feast of St. John, or the Naumburg St. Peter and Paul Fair, and the Leipzig New Year’s Fair—and to announce the Prænumeration: a pre-publication subscription (from the Latin 'praenumeratio') about six weeks beforehand. Furthermore, upon the distrahirung: sale or distribution (from the Latin 'distrahere') of the latest volume, a notice regarding the contents and price of the next one shall always be included; thus, the upcoming volume will be the Theater of Hydraulic Machines original: "Theatrum Machinarum Hydrotechnicarum." This refers to the next volume in Leupold's series, focusing on water management and hydraulic engineering..

To be sure, I would have preferred to proceed with those volumes that still lead into the fundamentals, such as Statics and Hydrostatics, or a continuation and further elaboration of the first part. However, because most people look only for Practica: practical applications and curious machines, and feel a certain annoyance toward things that require them to apply their intellect and reflection—and for this reason, this current volume was not sought as eagerly as the others have been desired—I have found it necessary to resolve matters in this way.

Since no arts are sought more zealously than those which dependiren: depend or rely (from the Latin 'dependere') upon water, I had to begin with the origin of water—that is, with the springs; for from small wells arise little brooks, from the brooks rivers, and from these great streams.

The included notice will explain further details. Otherwise, I wish that the honored reader, according to their station, may receive everything with as much goodwill as the author has written it. Leipzig, the 31st of December, 1723.

A decorative woodcut tailpiece featuring a symmetrical floral arrangement with various blossoms and leafy foliage, tapering to a point at the bottom.