Fumifugium: or, the Inconveniencie of the Aer and Smoake of London/Reader
To the Reader.
I Have little here to add to implore thy good opinion and approbation, after I have submitted this Essay to his Sacred Majesty: But as it is of universal benefit that I propound it; so I expect a civil entertainment and reception. I have, I confesse, been frequently displeased at the small advance and improvement of Publick Works in this Nation, wherein it seems to be much inferiour to the Countries and Kingdomes which are round about it; especially, during these late years of our sad Confusions: But now that God has miraculously restor'd to us our Prince, a Prince of so magnanimous and Publick a Spirit, we may promise our selves not only a recovery of our former Splendor; but also whatever any of our Neighbours enjoy of more universal benefit, for Health or Ornament: In summe, whatever may do honour to a Nation so perfectly capable of all advantages.
It is in order to this, that I have presumed to offer these few Proposals for the Meliorating and refining the Aer of London; being extremely amaz'd, that where there is so great an affluence of all things which may render the People of this vast City, the most happy upon Earth; the did, and accursed Avarice of some few Particular Persons, should be suffered to prejudice the health and felicity of so many: That any Profit (besides what is of absolute necessity) should render men regardlesse of what chiefly imports them, when it may be purchased upon so easie conditions, and with so great advantages: For it is not happiness to possesse Gold, but to enjoy the Effects of it, and to know how to live cheerfully and in health, Non est vivere, sed valere vita. That men whose very Being is Aer, should not breath it freely when they may; but (as that Tyrant us'd his Vassals) condemn themselves to this misery & Fumo præfocari, is strange stupidity: yet thus we see them walk and converse in London, pursu'd and haunted by that infernal Smoake, and the funest accidents which accompany it whereso: ever they retire.
That this Glorious and Antient City, which from Wood might be rendred Brick, and (like another Rome) from Brick made Stone and Marble; which commands the Proud Ocean to the Indies, and reaches to the farthest Antipodes, should wrap her stately head in Clowds of Smoake and Sulphur, so full of Stink and Darknesse, I deplore with just Indignation. That the Buildings should be compos'd of such a Congestion of mishapen and extravagant Houses; That the Streets should be so narrow and incommodious in the very Center, and busiest places of Intercourse: That there should be so ill and uneasie a form of Paving under foot, so troublesome and malicious a disposure of the Spouts and Gutters overhead, are particulars worthy of Reproof and Reformation; because it is hereby rendred a Labyrinth in its principal passages, and a continual Wet-day after the Storm is over. Add to this the Deformity of so frequent Wharfes and Magazines of Wood, Coale, Boards, and other course Materials, most of them imploying the Places of the Noblest aspect for the situation of Palaces towards the goodly River, when they might with far lesse Disgrace, be removed to the Bank-side, and afterwards disposed with as much facility where the Consumption of these Commodities lyes; a Key in the mean time so contrived on London-side, as might render it lesse sensible of the Reciprocation of the Waters, for Use and Health infinitely superiour to what it now enjoys. These are the Desiderata which this great City labours under, and which we so much deplore. But I see the Dawning of a brighter day approach; We have a Prince who is Resolv'd to be a Father to his Country; and a Parliament whose Decrees and Resentiments take their Impression from his Majesties great Genius, which studies only the Publick Good. It is from them therefore, that we Angure our future happinesse; since there is nothing which will so much perpetuate their Memories, or more justly merit it. Medails and Inscriptions have heretofore preserv'd the Fame of lesse Publick Benefits, and for the Repairing of a Dilapidated Bridge, a decaid Aquæduct, the Paving of a Way, or draining a foggy Marsh, their Elogies and Reverses have out-lasted the Marbles, and been transmitted to future Ages, after so many thousand Revolutions: But this is the least of that which we Decree to our August CHARLES, and which is due to his illustrious Senators; because they will live in our Hearts, and in our Records, which are more permanent and lasting.
1. May. 1661.
Farewell
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