For I would not have any one so nice as that Græcian Calis, sister to Nicephorus Emperour of Constantinople, and married to Dominicus Silvius Duke of Venice, that out of incredible wantonness, communi aquâ uti nolebat, would use no Vulgar water; but she died tantâ (saith mine authour) fœtidissimi puris copiâ, of so fulsome a disease, that no water could wash her clean.

Plato would not have a traveller lodge in a city, that is not governed by laws, or hath not a quick stream running by it; illud enim animum, hoc corrumpit valetudinem, one corrupts the body, the other the minde.

But this is more then needs, too much curiosity is naught, in time of necessity any water is allowed: Howsoever pure water is best, and which (as Pindarus holds) is better then gold; an especiall ornament it is, and very commodious to a city (according to Vegetius) when fresh springs are included within the walls, as at Corinth, in the midst of the town almost, there was arx altissima scatens fontibus, a goodly Mount full of fresh-water springs: if nature afford them not, they must be had by art.

It is a wonder to read of those stupend Aqueducts, and infinite cost hath been bestowed in Rome of old, Constantinople, Carthage, Alexandria, and such populous cities, to conveigh good and wholesome waters: read Frontinus, Lipsius de admir. Plinius lib.3. cap.11. Strabo in his Geogr.

That Aqueduct of Claudius was most eminent, fetched upon arches 15. miles, every Arch 109 foot high: they had 14. such other Aqueducts, besides lakes and cisterns, 700. as I take it; every house had private pipes and channels to serve them for their use.

Peter Gillius in his accurate description of Constantinople, speaks of an old cistern which he went down to see, 336. foot long, 180. foot broad, built of marble, covered over with Arch-work, and sustained by 336. pillars, twelve foote asunder, and in 11. rowes, to contain sweet water.

Infinite cost in chanels and cisterns, from Nilus to Alexandria, hath been formerly bestowed, to the admiration of these times; their cisterns so curiously cemented and composed, that a beholder would take them to be all of one stone: when the foundation is laid, and cistern made, their house is half built.

That Segovian Aqueduct in Spain, is much wondred at in these dayes, upon three rows of pillars, one above another, conveying sweet water to every house: but each City almost is full of such Aqueducts.

Amongst the rest he is eternally to be commended, that brought that new stream to the North side of London at his own charge: and Mr Otho Nicholson, founder of our water-works and elegant Conduit in Oxford. So much have all times attributed to this Element, to be conveniently provided of it:

Although Galen hath taken exceptions at such waters, which run through leaden pipes, ob cerussam quæ in iis generatur, for that unctuous ceruse, which causeth dysenteries and fluxes; yet as Alsarius Crucius of Genua well answers, it is opposite to common experience. If that were true, most of our Italian cities, Montpelier in France, with infinite others, would finde this inconvenience, but there is no such matter.

For private families, in what sort they should furnish themselves let them consult with P. Crescentius de Agric. l.1. c.4. Pamphilus Hirelacus, and the rest.

Amongst fishes, those are most allowed of, that live in gravelly or sandy waters, Pikes, Pearch, Trout, Gudgeon, Smelts, Flounders, &c. Hyppolitus Salvianus takes exception at Carp; but I dare boldly say with Dubravius, it is an excellent meat, if it come not from muddy pooles, that it retain not an unsavory tast. Erinacius Marinus is much commended by Oribasius, Ætius, and most of our late writers.

Crato consil.21. lib.2. censures all manner of fruits, as subject to putrefaction, yet tolerable at sometimes, after meales, at second course, they keep down vapors, and have their use. Sweet fruits are best, as sweet Cherries, Plums, sweet Apples, Peare-maines, and Pippins, which Laurentius extols, as having a peculiar property against this disease, and Plater magnifies, omnibus modis appropriata conveniunt, but they must be corrected for their windiness,

ripe Grapes are good, and Raysins of the sun, Musk-millions well corrected, and sparingly used. Figs are allowed, and Almonds blanched. Trallianus discommends Figs, Salvianus Olives and Capers, which others especially like of, and so of pistick nuts.

Montanus and Mercurialis out of AvenZoar, admit Peaches, Peares, and Apples baked after meales, only corrected with sugar, and Aniseed, or Fennell seed, and so they may be profitably taken, because they strengthen the stomach, and keep down vapors.

The like may be said of preserved Cherries, Plums, marmalit of plums, quinces, &c. but not to drink after them, Pomegranates, Lemons, Oranges are tolerated, if they be not too sharp.

Crato will admit of no herbs, but Borage, Bugloss, Endive, Fennell, Aniseed, Bawme, Callenius and Arnoldus tolerate Lettuce, Spinage, Beets, &c. The same Crato will allow no roots at all to be eaten. Some approve of Potatoes, Parsnips, but all corrected for winde. No raw sallets; but as Laurentius prescribes, in broths; and so Crato commends many of them: or to use Borage, Hops, Bawme, steeped in their ordinary drink.

AvenZoar magnifies the juyce of a Pomegranate, if it be sweet, and especially Rose-water, which he would have to be used in every dish, which they put in practice in those hot Countries, about Damascus, where (if we may believe the relations of Vertomannus) many hogsheads of Rose-water are to be sold in the market at once, it is in so great request with them.