Page:Petty 1851 The Down Survey.djvu/345



HE history of the Down Survey is the history of the most remarkable work of a very distinguished man, and forms an essential portion of his biography. It is also the closing act of one and the opening of another eventful chapter in the local history of Ireland, and this account of it by the author contains many authentic papers not before printed. They exhibit the obstructions and difficulties which beset the work in its progress, and the ingenuity, perseverance, and ability, with which they were overcome. Such are the lights and shadows of every great work.

The survey itself is well known, but a personal narrative of the author must always command an interest peculiar to itself. Sir William, then Dr. Petty, came to Ireland in 1652, as Physician to the Forces, and to the household and family of the Lieut.-General, and his reason for undertaking a labour so remote from the ordinary pursuits, and even from the usual studies of his profession, as a general survey of the country, may naturally be sought for.

In the "Reflections upon some Persons and Things in Ireland" he anticipates this question, and states that he "thought the whole work would have been over (as on my part it was) in about two years' time, so as to have proved rather an unbending than a breaking of that bow, wherein I aimed at natural knowledges." And, "that the measuring of as much land-line, by the chain and needle, as would have near four times begirt the whole earth in its greatest circle, and to have such an admeasurement remain upon record, and that to have performed such a service (being useful to all mankind) for a victorious army, the first that ever totally subdued Ireland, would have been as great an honour as any other atchievement I could make in so much time; and the rather, because I should thereby convince many worthy persons, that what they were told to be above seven years' work, might (to their great